On 20-22 May 2025, the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute (PGI-NRI) took part in the Arminera International Mining Industry Fair in Buenos Aires. In accordance with the decision of the recruitment committee for the Polish National Stand, organised by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, PGI-NRI was qualified as a participant of the fair with access to B2B space as a partner organisation.

International Argentine Trade Fair for the Mining Industry (photo. R. Pachytel)

Arminera is one of the most prestigious and important events in the mining sector in the region. For Polish institutions and entrepreneurs, participation in the fair is an opportunity to gain experience about the specifics of mining in Argentina and other Latin American countries, as well as to establish valuable industry contacts.

Mining companies and the Argentine administration are expressing considerable interest in cooperation with Polish companies involved in the supply of equipment, components, software and other elements used in the industry. Assistance to Polish companies in cooperation and connecting them with contractors on the Argentine market is supported, among others, by initiatives implemented by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and the Embassy in Buenos Aires.

Opening of the Polish National Stand by Chargé d'Affaires Bogna Ruminowicz. The Polish stand at this year's fair was represented by companies specialising in the supply of a wide range of products used in the mining industry (photo: R. Pachytel)

As part of the delegation, Radomir Pachytel from PGI-NRI met at the Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires with the management of the Argentine Mining Geological Service (SEGEMAR) – President Julio Bruna Novillo, Director of the Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources Martin Gozalvez and Director of the Mineral Resources Department Pablo Johannis. Reference was made to the Cooperation Agreement between the Services signed in 2023, under which PGI-NRI and SEGEMAR cooperated during this year's expedition to Antarctica, conducting geological reconnaissance of the northern part of the South Shetland Islands.

As part of their cooperation in laboratory research, the services plan to validate the results of geochemical tests carried out in the Argentine service's new laboratory. In addition, it has been agreed that the services will seek to launch a project to explore and analyse one of the sedimentary copper deposits in Argentina and will submit a joint application for funding for this activity.

Meeting of PGI-NRI and SEGEMAR at the Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires (photo: A. Ryszka). From the left: Adam Ryszka (Polish Embassy in Buenos Aires), Radomir Pachytel (PGI-NRI), Julio Bruna Novillo, Martin Gozalvez, Pablo Johannis (SEGEMAR)

During a visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with a delegation from the Polish Investment and Trade Agency and the Embassy, the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its support for possible project cooperation between PGI-NRI and SEGEMAR, promising direct contact with the provincial administrative authorities. In addition, the Argentinians are very interested in cooperation with Polish mining companies, which have enjoyed a high reputation in the region for many years.

The future potential for LNG exports from the Vaca Muerta formation to Poland was also highlighted – in the last quarter of 2027, the country plans to commission an LNG terminal, which should eventually enable exports of the raw material to Europe. Support for cooperation between PGI-NRI and SEGEMAR was also expressed during the meetings by the Mining Secretariat of the Ministry of Economy of Argentina, which considers cooperation on Cu-related projects to be crucial, as well as by the European Union delegation, which supports initiatives related to all critical raw materials, in particular copper and lithium.

Event promoting joint EU-Argentina projects on critical raw materials during the Arminera 2025 trade fair (photo: R. Pachytel)

Text: Radomir Pachytel