The Government of Javier Milei is moving forward with the recovery of the Sierra Pintada Mining and Manufacturing Complex in San Rafael, Mendoza, through remediation works on the site.
The work is being carried out by the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA) and is a key stage in advancing towards the goal of resuming uranium production on Argentine soil.
After decades of neglect, the libertarian administration has reactivated civil and environmental infrastructure works at the complex.
The statement from the CNEA
The first stage involves the remediation of historical environmental liabilities, a process that constitutes the necessary and legally established prerequisite to resume commercial uranium extraction at the San Rafael deposit.
In this context, the CNEA reported that it continues with the work aimed at advancing treatment. “WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PROGRESS WITH THE REMEDIATION WORKS FOR SIERRA PINTADA,” the agency communicated, detailing the progress made in this new phase of the project.
The complex is the site where 1,600 tons of uranium were extracted and processed. Currently, the works are focused on remediating historical environmental liabilities and involve various interventions on existing facilities and waste related to the activities carried out at the site.
According to the CNEA, the project includes the treatment of quarry water and treatment aimed at the final disposal of solid waste. These are works that are part of the necessary process to advance with the recovery of the site.
President Javier Milei
Among the advancements reported by the agency is the installation of tanks for the Radio and Arsenic Treatment Plant. Additionally, progress has been made on the construction of the roof and the corresponding excavations for the medium voltage line have begun.
The CNEA emphasized that each of these tasks is part of the recovery process of the complex and reaffirmed the agency's commitment to safety conditions and environmental protection.
“Each of these steps reaffirms our commitment to safety, environmental protection, and the continuous improvement of the site,” stated the National Atomic Energy Commission in its communication.
The continuity of these works thus represents progress within the process initiated to recover Sierra Pintada and advance with the remediation of the accumulated environmental liabilities during its operation.
The goal of Milei's Government is that, once the necessary stages are completed, the metaliferous complex will resume uranium production on Argentine soil for the first time in decades.
