Argentina








Energy Markets

Oil & Gas

Oil & Gas

US Court of appeal grants Argentina's request to halt YPF share sales

The U.S. Court of Appeals granted Argentina's request on Friday to temporarily suspend a judge’s order that the country turn over its 51 percent stake in oil company YPF as partial satisfaction for a $16.1 billion verdict won by two investors. The 2nd U.S. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Manhattan, stayed U.S. district judge Loretta Preska’s June 30, 2010 turnover order until Argentina appeals. Argentina warned it could suffer irreparable damage and destabilize its economy if it sold its stake in YPF - the country's biggest energy company. The court of appeal did not give any reasons for...

Oil & Gas

Investors suggest alternatives to YPF in dispute between US and Argentina

The U.S. Government sided with Argentina in its effort to temporarily suspend a court order requiring it to turn over its 51 percent stake in the oil and gas company YPF as part of a $16.1-billion judgment won by two investors. In a late-night filing, the U.S. government informed the 2nd U.S. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals stated that it is in the public's interest to resolve the dispute on its merits "free of the rushed compulsion of a non-stayed turnover order, and any negative impact on U.S. Foreign Relations with Argentina." Petersen Energia Inversora, Eton Park Capital...

Oil & Gas

US Judge orders Argentina to transfer YPF Shares to satisfy $16.1 Billion judgment

A U.S. court judge ordered Argentina on Monday to give up 51% of its stake in the oil and gas company YPF to satisfy a $16.1-billion judgment against it. U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Preska, in Manhattan, said Argentina had to transfer its YPF share within 14 days into a BNY Mellon account and instruct this bank to transfer those shares to the plaintiffs within one business day. Argentina appealed Preska's decision of September 2023 to award $16.1 billion to Petersen Energia Inversora, Eton Park Capital Management and litigation funder Burford Capital. Preska's ruling came the same day Argentina requested...

Oil & Gas

PwC: Argentina to experience a boom in M&A under Milei with energy as the focus

Argentina's mergers and acquisitions market could grow significantly in the coming years if President Javier Milei's economic reforms continue, Juan Tripier, director of M&A and corporate finance at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Argentina, told . Investors are showing renewed interest in Argentina after Milei's actions, which include a sharp reduction in inflation and government spending, a restored surplus fiscal, and loosened foreign exchange controls. "Two or three years ago, you would have contacted a multinational company, an investor from abroad, and Argentina was considered a bad name. This has changed since Milei was elected president," Tripier stated in an interview in Buenos...

Oil & Gas

Argentina's YPF expects 2024 adjusted EBIDTA to increase 15% to $4.65 Billion

YPF, the state-owned oil company in Argentina, reported on Friday a 15% increase in its adjusted earnings for the full year before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), which reached $4.65 billion. The company attributed this increase to a recovery in local fuel prices, an increase in oil exports, and the expansion of shale production. The company reported that oil production from Vaca Muerta - one of the world's largest shale gas and oil formations - would increase by 26% in 2024 to 122,000 barrels of oil per day on average, with 138,000 bpd during the last months of 2018....

Oil & Gas

Brazil Inc. places cautious bets on Argentina's turnaround under Milei

Brazilian companies are looking for acquisition targets in Argentina while strengthening their staff and stores as a precautionary bet on the aggressive economic reforms of President Javier Milei that are starting to stabilize Argentina's crisis-ridden economy. Brazilian companies, such as consumer goods, services and oil, have said they plan to expand or launch new ventures in Argentina. The country is recovering from a decade of economic turmoil that has discouraged investment. Milei's strict austerity has helped to bring down triple-digit inflation and a large deficit, while also boosting investor confidence. The nation is still in recession and capital controls are...

Oil & Gas

McEwen Copper seeks $2.5 bln for Argentina copper mine Los Azules

Canada's McEwen Copper is hunting for financiers to raise $2.5 billion to move on with building of Los Azules copper mine in Argentina, company Vice President Michael Meding stated in an interview. McEwen Copper, part of McEwen Mining, is among numerous international companies seeking to draw out copper in the mountains of northern Argentina, an area mostly untapped for the product due to the nation's hard capital controls and volatile economy. A reward program under President Javier Milei is now spurring activity, including from significant gamers such as miner BHP, after the nation's only copper mine closed in 2018. Los...

Oil & Gas

US sides with Argentina in conflict over $16 billion YPF judgment

The U.S. federal government sided with Argentina in urging a federal judge not to force the cashstrapped nation to quit its 51% stake in oil and gas business YPF to partially satisfy a $16.1 billion court judgment. In a Wednesday night letter, called a declaration of interest, to U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan, the Department of Justice said it has actually long argued that U.S. courts can not order the seizure of foreign sovereign home situated outside the United States. It also stated it would break sovereign immunity to need Argentina to turn over the shares to 2...

Oil & Gas Refining

United States sides with Argentina in conflict over $16 billion YPF judgment

The U.S. government sided with Argentina in prompting a federal judge not to require the cashstrapped country to quit its 51% stake in oil and gas company YPF to partially please a $16.1 billion court judgment. In a Wednesday night letter to U.S. District Judge Loretta Preska in Manhattan, the Department of Justice stated it has long argued that U.S. courts can not order the seizure of foreign sovereign property located outside the United States. It likewise stated it would break sovereign immunity to need Argentina to turn over the shares to two financiers represented by litigation funder Burford Capital,...

Oil & Gas Drilling

Chevron CEO under pressure to stop share slide as Hess deal stalls

5 years ago, Chevron CEO Michael Wirth won Wall Street honor as the No. 2 U.S. oil business quickly attained a market value larger than Exxon Mobil's after he refused to get into a bidding war with Occidental Petroleum over a rival. He was ahead of the game when the pandemic hit oil and gas need, requiring competitors to make deep cutbacks that Wirth had already taken on at Chevron. Its shares had actually outshined rivals for five years till 2022. Fast forward to 2024 and Wirth's legacy is in threat. Chevron's falling earnings no longer cover its dividends and...

Oil & Gas

India greatly raises import tax on edible oils to support farmers

India has raised the fundamental import tax on crude and fine-tuned edible oils by 20 portion points, the government stated on Friday, as the world's greatest edible oil importer attempts to assist secure farmers reeling from lower oilseed prices The move could lift edible oil prices and dampen need and consequently decrease abroad purchases of palm oil, soyoil and sunflower oil. After the duty walking announcement, Chicago Board of Trade soyoil extended losses and fell more than 2%. New Delhi on Friday imposed a 20% fundamental customs task on crude palm oil, crude soyoil and unrefined sunflower oil from Sept....

Oil & Gas

US may get associated with Argentina dispute over $16.1 billion YPF judgment

The U.S. federal government said on Monday it may get associated with a dispute over whether Argentina must quit its 51% stake in oil and gas company YPF to assist satisfy a $16.1 billion court judgment. In a filing with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the U.S. Department of Justice stated it is actively thinking about whether to file a so-called statement of interest in the case. Such statements can be submitted when a dispute discuss the U.S. government's sovereign interests. Monday's filing did not say why the U.S. government thinks it might have an interest in the YPF...

Fossil Fuels

Coal

NALCO, an Indian company, will invest $3.43 Billion to build a smelter and coal power plant

Brijendra Singh, chairman and managing director of India's National Aluminium Company said that the company will invest $3.43 billion in a new coal power plant and a smelter over the next five-year period. Singh, a New Delhi-based reporter, said that the state-owned aluminium company will spend around 180 billion rupees on the construction of the smelter proposed in Odisha in eastern India. He added that the project would be funded by a combination of internal accruals and debt. Singh stated that the remaining 120 billion rupees would be used for a coal-fired power plant. Coal India and NTPC are in...

Fossil Fuels

Kepler, a Brazilian silo manufacturer, reports weak results and looks to Argentina for growth

Kepler Weber, a maker of silos, posted lower quarterly results due to a weaker operational scenario in Brazil. However executives expressed optimism about the company's growth in Argentina. High interest rates and low grains prices have hurt Brazil's business prospects and profitability, but CEO Bernardo Nogueira says Argentina is a new avenue for growth as the economy and inflation in Argentina improve. Nogueira stated that the situation in Brazil was "dismal" as farmers had produced a record-breaking soy crop, which has pushed prices down globally. Brazil is one of the largest producers and exporters of corn, among other staple foods....

Oil & Gas Refining

The US Court of Appeals temporarily suspends Argentina's 51% stake in YPF

The U.S. Court of Appeals on Tuesday temporarily suspended an order by a judge that Argentina hand over its 51% share in the oil and gas company YPF as partial satisfaction for a $16.1-billion judgment. The 2nd U.S. The 2nd U.S. The appeals court stated that Argentina had until July 22nd to respond. The dispute arose from Argentina's 2012 acquisition of the YPF stake by Repsol, a Spanish company, without making a bid to Petersen or Eton Park. Both were minority shareholders. Burford Capital is representing these shareholders. Burford Capital has stated that it expects to receive between 35% and...

Mining

Mineral Resources

Environment

Aldebaran, a Canadian company, plans to invest $1.5 billion in Argentina's copper project

Javier Robeto, the country manager of Aldebaran Resources Canada, said that at least $1.5 billion will be needed to develop the Altar copper project located in northern Argentina. Robeto stated that the company will include this figure in its preliminary assessment of September. This will show Altar has about 32 billion pounds copper resources and approximately 6.7 million ounces gold resources. Aldebaran does not know if it will be able to spend the money in time to qualify under RIGI (the government's incentive program), which provides long-term tax breaks as well as access to international dispute tribunals for investments above...

Mineral Resources

BHP and Lundin are requesting Argentina incentives but other miners fear they will miss out

BHP and Lundin intend to apply soon for a new Argentine incentive scheme for their Vicuna Copper Project, but executives at a mining convention this week expressed concern that they might be left out by the program's deadline of a year. The Large Investment Incentive Program, or RIGI in Argentina, was implemented by President Javier Milei on October 1, 2018. It offers long-term tax breaks as well as access to international dispute tribunals for investments above $200 million. The program will last until July 2026, with the possibility of an additional year. The mining companies welcomed the measure, which they...

Mineral Resources

Argentina rejects Ganfeng Lithium but approves Galan Lithium as part of its incentive scheme

The Argentine government approved the $217 million project by Australian miner Galan Lithium in Catamarca for a new incentive program called RIGI. However, it rejected a bid from China's Ganfeng to build its Mariana lithium project. Why it's important Last year, the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI) was implemented as part of President Javier Milei’s efforts to encourage investments in the troubled economy. The RIGI offers benefits such as tax breaks and access international dispute courts for eligible projects. Global mining companies have been watching closely to see if the scheme will encourage investment in the copper industry that...

Mineral Resources

Argentina's mining exports will top $5 billion by 2025, despite lithium struggles. Industry body claims

The president of the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies, CAEM, predicted that Argentina's mining exports would exceed $5 billion by 2025. This is up from $4.6 in 2024. Roberto Cacciola, in an interview with he said that the main mining exports of Argentina, gold and silver, would remain the same or even decline slightly by 2025, due to the maturation process for mining projects. However, the rising prices would make up the volume decrease. Cacciola stated that the mining exports could reach $5 or $5.2 billion this year. He said that he expected the opposite for lithium. He expects a...

Mineral Resources

Ternium, a steelmaker, wants a stronger USMCA in the face of tariffs

Ternium, an American steelmaker with a large business in Mexico, demanded on Wednesday that the terms of a trade agreement for the region be strengthened ahead of a review. This was despite the current challenges posed by steel tariffs levied by President Donald Trump's government. Why it's important Steel products are subject to a 50% tariff on all shipments from Mexico into the U.S., but shipments from Mexico under the U.S. Mexico-Canada (USMCA), trade agreement, are exempted from tariffs. Last week, it was reported that the U.S. is negotiating with Mexico to reduce or remove steel tariffs for imports of...

Mineral Resources

Argentina approves $2.5 bln Rio Tinto lithium mining project

The Argentine government approved on Tuesday a $2.5billion lithium mining project of Anglo-Australian Rio Tinto. This is the first mining project to be approved under a newly introduced investment incentive program. Daniel Gonzalez, the secretary for mining and energy coordination in Argentina, announced the approval of Rio Tinto’s Rincon project in northern Salta Province under the RIGI scheme at a press conference in Buenos Aires. The mining industry in Argentina has expressed concern over the delays in the approval of seven projects that have been submitted to the government after the RIGI programme was launched nine-months ago. Roberto Cacciola of...

Mineral Resources

Grisly Peru mine murders highlight 'golden curse' in Andes

Frank Monzon, a Peruvian miner, was well aware of the risks involved in his work. However the allure of gold deep within the Andean rock that covers the northern Pataz Province outweighed them. He and 12 other miners are now dead in the worst mining massacre in Peru's history. The authorities in Peru's gold rich north halted mining activities this week and sent the military in after the police recovered the bodies from the Lidmar Mine after they had been kidnapped and murdered by illegal miners a month ago. Lidmar worked in agreement with Poderosa, Peru’s second largest gold producer....

Mineral Resources

Mining group Eramet keeps 2025 output targets despite Q1 setbacks

Eramet, a French mining company, maintained its full-year production targets on Thursday despite lower manganese and Nickel volumes which contributed to flat sales in the first quarter. The company reported quarterly sales adjusted to 742 million euros (842 million dollars) and said that sales volumes at its manganese mining in Gabon were down 15% on an annual basis due to a strike by workers and logistical issues at Owendo Port. Eramet, the Indonesian nickel ore miner, attributed this decline to destocking of local processing plants. The Chairwoman and CEO Christel Bories also attributed the "more difficult" than expected first quarter...

Mineral Resources

Official: India is exploring for critical minerals in Zambia and Australia

V.L., the Mines Secretary, said that India is looking at mining critical minerals in Zambia and Australia. Kantha Rao stated on Thursday that the fastest growing major economy in the world is looking to secure raw minerals such as lithium. Rao stated that companies like Coal India and ONGC Videsh explore critical minerals in Australia. India has been working to reduce its dependence on minerals like lithium, which is key for energy transition technologies. India is still developing the technology for processing lithium, a field dominated by China. Rao, in a press conference, said that the Zambian government had recently...

Mineral Resources

McEwen Copper asks for major tax breaks on Los Azules Copper mine in Argentina

McEwen Copper is a Canadian subsidiary of McEwen Mining. It has requested to be included in an Argentine incentive program, which would provide significant tax breaks on its Los Azules Copper Project located in San Juan Province. McEwen intends to invest $2.7billion in the mine. The Argentine Government's Large Investment Incentive Regime has allocated $227 million to the project. This money will be used for the feasibility study of the mine, exploration work, and construction preparation. If approved, the company could invest an additional $2.5billion in the site for the construction of the mine and production facility under the incentives...

Mineral Resources

Chile's mining firm expects another global lithium surplus this year

Production cutbacks by lithium companies in response to low costs for the metal have tightened supply forecasts, however a worldwide surplus is still expected for 2024 and 2025, Chilean copper commission Cochilco stated on Thursday. The global market was expected to post a surplus of 89,000 lots of lithium in 2024 and 141,000 lots in 2025, according to a. report from Cochilco, Chile's government firm for mining. studies. Chile is the world's second-biggest producer of lithium, a secret. part for electric vehicle batteries. U.S.-based Albemarle. and Chile's SQM are the only business. extracting lithium in the South American nation. The...

Mineral Resources

Rio Tinto to form new lithium unit after Arcadium buy, memo says

AngloAustralian mining huge Rio Tinto prepares to produce a. standalone lithium department after it closes its $6.7 billion. acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, according to an. internal memo seen . The strategy reflects how carefully connected Rio CEO Jakob Stausholm. and his management group believe lithium is to the business's. future and the high worth they put on Arcadium's engineers as. part of the offer. Arcadium's investors authorized the sale last month and. closing is anticipated by July. The new company, Rio Tinto Lithium, will assume control of. Rio's $2.5 billion Rincon job in Argentina however not its. controversial Jadar lithium...