Integra Tierras Raras seeks permit for uranium exploration in southern Argentina

Integra Tierras Raras, a company linked to investment group Integra Capital led by businessman José Luis Manzano, has formally requested authorization to explore for uranium deposits in Argentina's southern Río Negro province. The application, detailed in an official gazette, targets the Bagual 15 area, spanning 9,999 hectares within the Alto Valle mining district, near the town of Villa Regina.

This move signals potential development in Argentina's uranium sector, which has not seen active production since the Sierra Pintada mine in Mendoza ceased operations between 1975 and 1997. Currently, Argentina's Secretariat of Mining lists 21 uranium mining projects across various provinces, including Chubut, Mendoza, Neuquén, Río Negro, Salta, and Santa Cruz. However, none of these projects are in the production phase.

Among the most advanced projects are Laguna Salada, managed by Canadian firm Jaguar Uranium, and Ivana-Amarillo Grande, a joint venture involving Canada's Blue Sky Uranium and Argentina's Corporación América. These projects have already undergone preliminary economic evaluation studies, indicating significant interest and potential for future resource extraction in the country.