en.Wedoany.com Reported - The sustained growth of the lithium industry is driving a shift in the export structure of Argentina's Salta Province. In the first quarter of 2026, China became the second-largest destination for the province's mining exports, primarily driven by a significant increase in lithium shipments.
According to official data, between January and March 2026, Salta Province's lithium export value reached $79.4 million, a 400% increase year-on-year. Lithium thus solidified its position as the province's second-largest mineral export, trailing only gold. During the same period, total non-metallic mineral product exports amounted to $94.5 million.
The expansion of lithium product exports has also reshaped Salta's trade partner rankings. In this quarter, China's mineral imports from Salta totaled $63.7 million, a figure second only to the United States, which accounted for a 52% share with $105.2 million in exports, primarily driven by gold shipments from the Lindero mine. Other export destinations included Brazil ($12.3 million), Germany ($6.6 million), and the Netherlands ($5.4 million).
The export growth coincided with the commissioning of three lithium projects that began production between late 2024 and 2025: Centenario-Ratones, operated by Eramet; Mariana, developed by Ganfeng Lithium; and Sal de Oro, by Posco. These three projects are gradually approaching maximum capacity, and their impact is already evident in national statistics. Additionally, Rio Tinto's Rincón Litio project has commenced production at an initial plant and is building new facilities, targeting an annual production capacity of 50,000 tons of lithium carbonate by 2028.
Despite lithium's strong progress, gold remains Salta Province's primary mineral export. Gold exports in the first quarter totaled $105.8 million, mainly contributed by production from the Lindero mine, which accounts for 84% of gold exports from the Northwest region.
According to the latest data from the National Directorate for Mining Promotion and Economy (Dirección Nacional de Promoción y Economía Minera), from January to May 2026, Salta Province's total mining exports reached $384 million, accounting for 63% of the province's total foreign sales.
The production growth will also have a direct impact on provincial finances. According to forecasts from the Ministry of Economy and Public Services of Salta (Ministerio de Economía y Servicios Públicos de Salta), the province's mining royalty revenue is expected to increase from $7.9 million in 2026 to $37.9 million by 2030, when mining will surpass oil and gas as the province's primary source of royalty income.
The consolidation of lithium as one of Salta Province's export engines reflects the structural transformation underway in the province's mining sector. As new projects reach commercial scale and international demand continues to grow, Salta's status as a major producing region for Argentina's critical minerals is enhanced, positioning it to play a more significant role in the global energy transition market.
