Argentina's Senate passes glacier bill in 40-31 vote

Argentina's Senate passes glacier bill in 40-31 vote

Argentina’s Senate Passes Glacier Bill in 40-31 Vote, Sparking Debate Over Mining and Environmental Priorities

Argentina’s Senate approved a controversial reform to the 2010 National Glacier Law in a 40-31 vote on February 25, 2026, marking a pivotal step in President Javier Milei’s push to attract mining investment while intensifying scrutiny over environmental safeguards. The bill, now advancing to the Chamber of Deputies for final approval, would shift authority over glacier protection from national standards to provincial discretion, allowing regions to determine whether specific glaciers serve a "strategic water function" warranting preservation.

Under the current law, all glaciers listed in the National Glacier Inventory are automatically protected from mining, infrastructure, and hydrocarbon activities. The reform, however, would permit provinces to assess glaciers on a case-by-case basis, arguing that not all ice formations—such as rock-covered periglacial zones—function as critical water reserves. The Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies supports the change, emphasizing that modern mining practices can coexist with water conservation through engineering and monitoring, though the sector accounts for just 1% of water use in mining regions.

Environmental groups and legal organizations have strongly opposed the reform, warning it undermines national environmental standards and jeopardizes freshwater security for 7 million Argentinians. The Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN) highlighted that glaciers regulate 40% of the country's watersheds and cautioned the reform sets a "negative precedent" for ecosystem protection. Indigenous communities and agricultural sectors, particularly in Mendoza, also raised concerns over water sovereignty and long-term ecological risks.

The vote aligns with Milei's broader economic agenda, including the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), designed to streamline regulations for mining and energy projects. Proponents argue the reform could unlock billions in foreign investment, particularly for copper and lithium projects near glaciers in provinces like San Juan. However, critics note provinces may prioritize short-term economic gains over watershed stability, violating Argentina's constitutional "floor" of environmental protection.

With Milei's coalition lacking a majority in the lower house, the bill's final passage remains uncertain. The debate underscores tensions between Argentina's economic ambitions and its role as a guardian of fragile Andean ecosystems, as global demand for critical minerals intensifies.

(https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/argentina-faces-vote-loosen-glacier-protections-push-mining-investment-2026-02-25/): Reuters, 2026
(https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/argentina-considers-weakening-glacier-safeguards-in-pursuit-of-critical-minerals/): Mongabay, 2026