By Daniel Nardini

Current Argentinian President Javier Milei will sign legislation passed by the Argentine Congress that would allow companies to mine in the Andes Mountains. Called the Glacier Law, both Argentinian and foreign companies will be able to mine in the deep Andes for copper, lithium ans silver—all minerals needed for economic growth. But what about the environment? What about safeguards to protect the eco-system of the Andes Mountain chain? Many environmental groups and organizations are to put it mildly concerned what mining in the Andes would mean. In a country like Argentina, the Argentinians know only too well that their government has a poor track record for enforcement of environmental laws. It is most likely that many environmental groups and organizations will fight President Milei and the corporations for protecting the Andes Mountain chain.

But then what will the Argentinian government do in response? Will it give in? Unless massive protests erupt and the whole country is ready to erupt into civil war, it is doubtful the government will back down. What about the government’s use of the military? That has happened in Argentina’s long history, and when things got out of control, either the government called in the army, or the army took over. This most recently happened in 1976, and it was only after Argentina lost the Falklands War did the Argentinian military lose control of the country and democracy was restored in Argentina. We know that President Milei recently won support of the vast majority of the Argentinian people in 2025. Now, the question is will his polices and the decisions he and the rest of the government makes hold up in 2026?