Analysis-Argentina’s copper dreams need infrastructure – but who will build it?

By Lucila Sigal

SAN JUAN (Reuters) -Argentina holds rich copper deposits in the mountainous north along the Chilean border, but, unlike its mining powerhouse neighbor, has not built power lines and roads needed for new projects backed by miners such as BHP and Rio Tinto.

President Javier Milei’s austerity campaign to clamp down on inflation and debt means the South American country is up against bigger challenges than most countries to build the infrastructure needed by mines worldwide.

Unconventional ideas, such as sharing infrastructure between miners or paying for it with royalties, will likely be part of the solution.

“The government said it won’t provide any funding, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t responsible for getting things done,” said Roberto Cacciola, president of Argentina’