Argentina: These are the names of the candidates for the Secretary of Mining of the Nation

Following Flavia Royón's departure due to the conflict between Javier Milei and the governor of Salta, Gustavo Sáenz, within the framework of the Omnibus Law, it has not yet been determined who will be the Secretary of Mining of the Nation.

The deputies of Governor Gustavo Sáenz decided not to support some points of the Base Law (Omnibus Law) in Parliament, triggering the presidential fury that led to the departure of Flavia Royón from the Secretary of Mining.

Since then, the secretariat, which falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Economy led by Luis Caputo, has been without a leader.

Several names have been mentioned in recent days for that position, including that of Mario Capello from San Juan, a politically referenced figure with Patricia Bullrich, who could benefit from the parliamentary agreement built between PRO and La Libertad Avanza, which is also advancing towards a party coalition. The former radical deputy has already worked with PRO in mining planning. He was the Undersecretary of Mining Development during Mauricio Macri's presidency and designed the mining plan for a potential presidency of Patricia Bullrich, an influential figure within Javier Milei's government, beyond her specific area, security.

Among other possible names are Javier Iguacel, from the Macri's circle and former Minister of Energy; and Sergio Arbeleche, a lawyer associated with Barrick Gold, and an advisor to the powerful Chief of Staff Nicolás Posse.

Another possible candidate for the Secretary of Mining is the president of the Latin American Lithium Chamber, Pablo Rutigliano. In an interview with an Argentine media outlet, he took it upon himself to position himself at the starting line: "There are many names to occupy that position in Mining, where I also appear; this represents the scenario of interest in promoting mining in the country," he pointed out.

Among other statements, Rutigliano, president of the Latin American Lithium Chamber (Calbamerica), raised the need to carry out "a mining census that allows the implementation of policies and laws so that appropriate modifications can be established", so that mining is in line with "an investment model that develops constructively for Argentina".

Rutigliano is convinced that "it is a time of competitive opportunities", that "the interests of the governors exist," but that "we must consider what investment channel we want to develop to be visible."