en.Wedoany.com Reported - In the first five months of 2026, Argentina's mining exports reached $3.934 billion, a year-on-year increase of 75.8%, setting a new historical record, driven by the strong performance of gold, silver, and lithium in international markets.

In the export ranking compiled by the National Directorate for Mining Promotion and Mining Economy (Dirección Nacional de Promoción y Economía Minera) based on customs data, the Veladero mine in San Juan Province ranked first, becoming the mining project with the largest national export share, highlighting its strategic position in Argentina's mining industry.

Ranked second and third were Cerro Vanguardia and Cerro Negro, both located in Santa Cruz Province. This province accounted for four projects in the top ten, demonstrating its strength in metal production, including Cerro Moro in fourth place and San José in sixth place.

Jujuy Province, driven by its lithium industry, has become a key driver of mining growth, with three projects on the list of top ten exporters: Cauchari-Olaroz in fifth place, Chinchillas-Pirquitas in seventh place, and Salar de Olaroz in tenth place. This performance aligns with the strong growth trend in lithium exports in 2026 and consolidates the Northwest Region (NOA) as one of the most dynamic areas.

Other projects in the top ten include Lindero in Salta Province (eighth place) and Fénix in Catamarca Province (ninth place). This ranking reflects the dominance of five mining provinces—San Juan, Santa Cruz, Jujuy, Salta, and Catamarca—which concentrate the majority of the sector's national exports.

The advantages of these operating projects highlight the diversity of Argentina's mining industry, where large gold and silver producers coexist with increasingly important lithium projects, jointly consolidating the aforementioned provinces as pillars of industry growth and driving mining's expanding contribution to the national economy.