In brief
In July 2026, the Province of San Juan (“San Juan”) enacted Law No. 2827-M (the “Law”), establishing a new framework to promote local employment, the development of local suppliers, and the sustainable growth of communities linked to mining activities in San Juan.
The Law applies to all stages of mining projects and introduces obligations, incentives, and monitoring mechanisms for mining companies and contractors.
In focus
Local Employment Development Plan: Mining companies must submit, by means of a sworn statement, a plan establishing progressive targets to achieve a workforce composed of 80% San Juan residents. The plan must identify skills gaps and include training, capacity-building, and workforce development measures. Preference criteria must be established for workers from the project’s direct and indirect areas of influence and, subsequently, from the rest of San Juan.
Local Supplier Development Plan: Mining companies must submit, by means of a sworn statement, a plan aimed at achieving local supplier participation equivalent to 60% of the annual value of procurement and contracting activities for each project.
Provincial Registry of Mining Suppliers (RE.PRO.MIN.): The Law creates the Provincial Registry of Mining Suppliers (RE.PRO.MIN. in the Spanish acronym), intended to identify, classify, and certify local suppliers linked to mining activities. Registration requires compliance with criteria related to local establishment, operational activity, local employment, and economic presence in San Juan.
Benefits:
- Suppliers registered with RE.PRO.MIN. will have access to training programs, financing opportunities, technical assistance, and other tools designed to strengthen local value chains.
- Companies that meet the targets established under the Law will be eligible to receive tax credit certificates applicable against provincial taxes.
Monitoring and Penalties: The Law provides for audits and allows the authority to impose penalties in cases of non-compliance.
Mining companies and contractors already operating under plans previously approved must adapt those plans to the new Law within 60 days from its entry into force. Companies and contractors that do not yet have approved plans must submit them within 90 days.
Delfina Ferrario and Franco Sinagra, Associates, have contributed to this legal update.
Download the Spanish version of Argentina: San Juan: - Mining Local Development Law.