Argentina weakens glacier protections to allow mining expansion under Milei

Argentina's Congress is voting on President Javier Milei's controversial revisions to a 2010 law protecting glaciers and periglacier zones from economic activity, with protesters gathering outside to oppose the changes. The new framework would permit mining of copper, lithium, and other minerals in previously protected areas, granting provincial governments authority to designate which zones lose protection. This matters globally because Argentina's glaciers are critical freshwater reserves for South America, and the policy shift reflects Milei's broader deregulation agenda prioritizing resource extraction. The vote outcome will signal whether environmental protections can withstand Argentina's current pro-development administration.