Issue link: http://resourceworld.uberflip.com/i/807573
A P R I L / M A Y 2 0 1 7 www.resourceworld.com 33 unquestionably resulted in more mining companies exploring in Argentina. He said that major countries like China and India have "come to take a piece of the future." As well, some of the mining companies who had left Argentina are returning and there are new companies arriving as well, who have heard about the new, industry friendly, political environment. But Grosso adds that President Mauricio Macri has his work cut out for him, "trying to get everyone who has been operating under loose rules to fit in the vision that Daniel Meilan, Argentina's Secretary of Mining, has put together." But it is just not that industry whose trust needs to be regained. Grosso said it is the trust of the people that has to be gained first. "My motto," said Grosso, "has always been to respect the elected govern- ment but work with the communities that are impacted." Mining historically did not serve Argentineans well and Grosso said that past governments were elected to keep mining out. The South American Lithium Triangle includes parts of Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, and produces about half of the world's lithium and hosts approximately 70% of the known lithium reserves. Grosso said, "There is a focus on lithium in Argentina. There are hundreds of lith- ium companies that have descended on Argentina...But lithium is in its infancy. The expectations are fantastic but the reality is that there needs to be a lot of exploration activity to firm up what is and what is not." He added that Argentina has its com- petitors – such as Chile and Bolivia – but Argentina is expected to become a leader in lithium production and exploration." Grosso expects uranium to soon step into the spotlight of interest and investment explaining that. "It is much more advanced. I am not saying lithium or uranium is better than the other. I think they are both going to have a space in the market. Both com- modities are going to have a great future. Grosso noted that many analysts predict that uranium is going to rise to US $38 a pound and then on to $75 the next year and a half. Grosso Group's company, Blue Sky Uranium's exploration work between 2007 and 2012 led to the discovery of a new ura- nium district in Rio Negro Province. Robert Giustra, Chairman and CEO of Columbus Gold, which has a gold project in French Guiana, spoke to Resource World Left, Ricardo Labó, Vice Minister of Mines for Peru, and Leonard De Melt, President of Norsemont ll, Resounces Inc., a British Columbia company that owns Norsemont ll, Resources SAC, a Peruvian company holding the Cochavara claims and the Palo Blanco Mine, north-central Peru. With infrastructure in place, initial mine development in progress, using much of the structure of the nearby 400 tpd, high-grade Quiravilca Mine silver, lead, zinc mine. Palo Blanco is ready to go into production immediately, pending final government approval, expected shortly. The adjoining Quiravilca Mine has been in production nearly 70 years. The plant and camp have excess capacity. The Cochavara claims (Palo Blanca Mine) are surrounded by Barrick Gold, Newmont Mines, Teck , Southern Peru Copper and Milpo. Photo by Ellsworth Dickson.