Argentina seeks to unify regulations to spur mining investments

The Argentine government wants to unify mining regulations under a proposed federal law that would permit openpit mines to operate throughout the country as part of an effort to jump-start investment in the sector, a government official said. Argentina has fallen behind its mineral-rich neighbours Chile and Peru in mining investment, despite containing rich deposits of copper, gold, silver and zinc. Local regulations are tough, and seven of the country's 23 provinces prohibit openpit mining altogether due to environmental concerns.