The Government will modify the Glacier Law by decree: they want to expand the exploitation areas.

The Government is preparing a decree that will amend the Glacier Law (No. 26,639) with the aim of expanding the scope for economic exploitation in periglacial areas. The initiative, which the Ministry of Economy is working on, seeks to adjust current regulations to allow industrial, mining, and hydrocarbon activities in previously protected areas, under the guise of offering greater legal security to investment projects.

The proposed changes include a significant reduction in the areas considered protected, limiting them to spaces that meet stricter criteria. According to the draft prepared by the government, only periglacial areas of active rock or debris that are at least one hectare in area, have a minimum duration of two years, and serve a significant water function will be protected . These areas must be registered in the National Glacier Inventory.

Regarding covered and uncovered glaciers, the ruling party assures that it will maintain the current framework of restrictions, including the mandatory environmental impact studies for the approval of any project in the area. However, it seeks to grant greater powers to the provinces to decide on the use of their territories, according to TN.

The amendment to the Glacier Law is not new to the official agenda . Early in its administration, the government attempted to incorporate similar changes into the Law on "Minimum Budgets for the Preservation of Glaciers and the Periglacial Environment." Although the initiative was included in the Basic Law passed in June 2024, it was ultimately eliminated due to a lack of legislative support.

The bill drew warnings from the United Nations (UN), which described the changes as "regressive" in a letter sent on February 5, 2024. The organization's human rights rapporteurs warned that the modifications could compromise environmental safeguards and the rights of environmental defenders. In response to this criticism, the ruling party decided to withdraw the proposal from Congress.

The measure is being coordinated by the Ministry of Economy , led by Luis Caputo, in conjunction with the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Legal and Technical Affairs. Among the key stakeholders involved in drafting the decree are María Tettamanti, Minister of Energy, and Daniel González, Head of Energy and Mining Coordination. According to reports, the decision responds to pressure from business sectors , who believe that the current restrictions hinder economic development in key areas for their activities.