With a great summoning of visitors and several activities in parallel, Arminera 2019 came successfully to an end

Arminera closed its doors and once again it positioned itself as the center of mining business in the region. The event, organized by the Argentine Chamber of Mining Companies (CAEM) and Messe Frankfurt Argentina, summoned 208 exhibitors from 12 countries –Germany; Argentina; Chile; China; Colombia; Spain; United States; Finland; Israel; Peru; United Kingdom and Switzerland- and 7,450 professionals coming from 16 countries: Germany, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Spain, United States, Finland, Peru, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Uruguay.

On its first day, the exhibition was the framework for the Mining Competitiveness Table, a meeting that gathered the main referents of the public and private sector to assess the sector current situation and discuss policies for medium and long term. In said event, the Minister of Production and Labor, Dante Sica; the Minister of Transport, Guillermo Dietrich; the Secretary of Mining Policy, Carolina Sánchez, the President of CAEM, Marcelo Álvarez; and several mining companies, trade unions and business professionals were present.

Once the Competitiveness Table finished, it took place Arminera's opening ceremony, in which Minister Sica said: “Last year, mining grew a lot throughout the year and this shows the energy the sector is currently having. Mining is going to be one of the three main engines of expansion in Argentine economy.”

Meanwhile, the President of CAEM, Marcelo Álvarez, stated that he is convinced that the competitiveness of the mining sector is regional, and that "all the countries together, the public and private sector supported by communities, in a constant dialogue, are what mining needs to be a development engine."

On its part, the President and CEO of Messe Frankfurt Argentina, Fernando Gorbarán, said: “we are proud to organize this exhibition totally devoted to mining, in which innovations are presented and articulation and updating spaces are offered."

Business in the foreground

The 2nd Matchmaking Program of Suppliers Development finished with a total of 1,200 meetings between 45 executives from 22 mining projects that operate locally and Arminera’s exhibitors. The meetings gave an ideal environment for direct contact between offer and demand and, this way, they made easier the closing of commercial operations.

Besides, it was carried out the 2nd International Matchmaking Program of the Mining Industry, in which foreign buyers coming from Bolivia, Chile, and Peru had interviews with 50 small and medium Argentine companies which are able to export. This activity was organized by Messe Frankfurt Argentina and the Argentine Agency of Investment and International Trade.

All the machinery at real scale

For the second edition in a row, Arminera had 1,500 sqm outdoors in which several companies exhibited their latest machinery and technologies devoted to the sector. Compressors, cranes, trucks, tents, lighting towers, hydraulic drills, pumps, loaders and containers were some of the large equipment that could be seen by the exhibition's visitors.

A space for interaction among institutions

Apart from business, another of the great main characters of Arminera 2019 was the academic proposal.

Among the outstanding ones it is worth mentioning the Mining and Sustainable Development Forum of the Americas, organized by the Intergovernmental Forum of Mining, Minerals, Metals and Sustainable Development (IGF), the Inter-American Development Bank (BID) and the Mines Ministries of the Americas Conference (CAMMA).  The meeting had the presence of the Minister of Mining of Chile, Baldo Prokurica; representatives from 11 governments from American countries; companies; governmental organizations; universities and institutions related to mining.

Within the framework of the exhibition, it was also carried out the Preparatory Meeting of CAMMA Experts (Annual Conference of Mining Ministries of the Americas), in which representatives from 11 American countries took part, and they covered the subjects to be considered in the X Conference.

On the other hand, they offered 12 conferences on mining current situation and 2 mining panels, with transverse subjects that covered issues related to lithium, human rights, gender, productivity, environmental control, among others.

On its part, Arminera's exhibitors gave 13 product presentations and trainings in subjects relevant to the industry.

The Argentine Secretary of Mining Policy, Carolina Sánchez, stated: “This year, Arminera has summoned many companies, investors, chambers, service companies and suppliers of the mining activity, with a great participation of the audience interested in the activity. {…} From the public policies point of view, it is very important as a space for interaction among institutions. {…} We are very pleased with this. The maximum authorities of the country regarding environment, human rights, and transport were present: all the departments whose transverse policies have to do with Argentine mining development. And the presence of provincial mining authorities, with whom we articulate the country’s mining policies.”