The Argentine government, under President Javier Milei, is keen to reignite uranium mining in the Patagonian steppe, particularly around Cerro Cóndor. This move, aimed at bolstering the country’s nuclear strategy, has raised alarms among local residents and environmental groups. Concerns about environmental degradation, health risks, and potential loss of sovereignty over national resources dominate the discourse as the administration seeks to position Argentina as a key player in the global nuclear market.
Historical Context of Uranium Mining
Cerro Cóndor, a small hamlet with a limited Indigenous Mapuche population, was the site of uranium mining operations in the 1970s, conducted by the National Atomic Energy Commission (CNEA). The mining left a lasting impact on the landscape and local communities, with reports of health issues linked to the abandoned sites. Sergio Pichiñán, a local resident, reflects on the past devastation, stating, “When the miners left, they left the mountain destroyed, the houses abandoned, and nobody ever studied the water.” The community remains apprehensive about the prospect of reopening these mines, fearing a repeat of history.
Government’s Nuclear Strategy
The Milei administration has outlined an ambitious nuclear plan that not only includes restarting uranium extraction at Cerro Solo, a major CNEA uranium deposit, but also encompasses the development of small modular reactors (SMRs) and the partial privatisation of Nucleoeléctrica, the state-owned nuclear utility. The government aims to export uranium and use it to power AI data centres, signalling a shift towards closer ties with the United States.
However, this strategy has drawn ire from multiple stakeholders. Critics argue that the renewed focus on uranium mining appears to prioritise exportation over domestic energy needs. Adriana Serquis, a former CNEA president, asserts, “The plan doesn’t seem oriented toward supplying our own plants, but rather exporting uranium directly to the US.” This sentiment underscores fears that Argentina may become an “energy colony,” catering to foreign demands at the expense of local interests.
Environmental and Sovereignty Concerns
Environmental activists and local communities express deep concerns regarding the potential ecological consequences of renewed mining in Patagonia. The region has a robust anti-mining sentiment, evidenced by a 2003 referendum that overwhelmingly rejected open-pit gold mining. Moreover, thousands of tonnes of uranium tailings from the past remain an environmental liability, with inadequate monitoring of radiation levels reported by CNEA over several administrations.
Orlando Carriqueo, a representative of the Indigenous Mapuche-Tehuelche parliament, voiced the region’s apprehension: “We’re being turned into an energy colony.” The local population fears that the mining operations could contaminate vital water resources, such as the Río Chubut, which supplies drinking water to nearby towns.
Criticism of the Nuclear Programme
The Milei administration’s nuclear plans have faced backlash not only from environmentalists but also from within the scientific community. Critics point to the administration’s decision to halt progress on existing SMR projects, such as the Carem reactor, which was seen as a promising development in nuclear technology. The government’s pivot to a new SMR project, the ACR300, has raised eyebrows, with industry experts questioning the feasibility of achieving the ambitious timeline of constructing multiple reactors in a mere five years.
Furthermore, plans to privatise Nucleoeléctrica have ignited debate about the long-term implications for Argentina’s energy sovereignty. Isidro Baschar, a former director at the company, emphasised the risks of handing over strategic nuclear capabilities to private interests, stating, “Nuclear energy combines critical infrastructure, extremely long-term investments, highly specialised licensing, and international commitments regarding security and non-proliferation.”
Why it Matters
Argentina’s shift towards revitalising its uranium mining sector is emblematic of broader geopolitical dynamics and the country’s search for energy independence. As President Milei positions Argentina to align more closely with US interests, local concerns about environmental degradation, health risks, and the loss of control over natural resources come to the forefront. The outcome of this strategy could set a precedent for how Argentina navigates its energy future, balancing the demands of international partnerships against the rights and needs of its own citizens.
