Advancing a District-Scale Copper–Gold Portfolio in Argentina
Corporate History
Rio de Oro Argentina S.A. was established in 2015 to acquire and advance high-quality mineral projects throughout Argentina.
The Pedernales Project was assembled during 2015–2016 following an extensive regional geological review, including detailed remote sensing studies designed to identify alteration systems with geological characteristics comparable to those associated with Gold Fields’ nearby Salares Norte gold deposit. The initial project comprised the Vallecito, Los Bayos and part of Alto Colorado Norte prospects.
Between late 2016 and 2018, Pedernales was subject to an exploration joint venture with Newcrest Mining, which completed Controlled Source Audio-frequency Magnetotellurics (CSAMT) geophysical surveys and 4,200 metres of diamond drilling, primarily testing the Vallecito and Alto Colorado Norte prospects. Following Newcrest’s withdrawal, Rio de Oro Argentina acquired the Alto Colorado Sur tenements, which had not been available to Newcrest during the joint venture and have since become the principal focus of exploration.
The expanded Pedernales Project was subsequently optioned to OceanaGold between late 2018 and 2020. OceanaGold completed additional Induced Polarisation (IP) and CSAMT geophysical surveys over Alto Colorado Sur before electing to withdraw from the joint venture. The technical involvement of both Newcrest and OceanaGold provides strong independent validation of the geological prospectivity of the Pedernales Project.
Also in 2015, Rio de Oro Argentina acquired the three principal properties comprising the Somuncura Project—Caltrauna, Laguna Amarilla and El Bagual. At the time of acquisition, approximately 5,000 metres of historical diamond drilling had already been completed across the Caltrauna and Laguna Amarilla prospects, providing a solid technical foundation for future exploration.
In 2021, Rio de Oro Argentina identified and applied for a vacant tenement within the highly prospective Vicuña Copper Belt, targeting porphyry copper-gold mineralisation. The Nivaldo tenement was granted in 2023, establishing what has since become the Company’s flagship exploration asset.
In mid-2022, a corporate reorganisation was undertaken in preparation for a proposed Australian Initial Public Offering (IPO). Ownership of the Pedernales and Somuncura projects was transferred to a newly incorporated wholly owned subsidiary, Minera Pedernales S.A., which subsequently also acquired ownership of the Nivaldo tenement upon its grant.
Rio de Oro Corp Ltd (Australia) was incorporated on 14 December 2021 as the Australian holding company for the proposed IPO. The acquisition of 100% of Minera Pedernales S.A. was completed in January 2024.
Today, Rio de Oro Corp controls a 100%-owned portfolio of exploration projects across some of Argentina’s most prospective mineral provinces, including:
- Nivaldo (La Rioja Province) – located within the world-class Vicuña copper belt and prospective for large-scale porphyry Cu–Mo systems;
- Pedernales (Catamarca Province) – a district-scale high-sulphidation epithermal gold–silver project with strong geological similarities to the nearby Salares Norte deposit; and
- Somuncura (Río Negro Province) – a district-scale precious metals project containing multiple low- to intermediate-sulphidation epithermal systems with additional intrusive-related exploration potential.
Our vision is to unlock the potential of Argentina’s copper–gold resources through responsible exploration and create lasting value for shareholders and stakeholders.
Exploration and Mining in Argentina
Argentina is emerging as one of the world’s most attractive mining jurisdictions, combining exceptional geological prospectivity with a renewed commitment to resource development. Located along the prolific Andean metallogenic belt, the country hosts world-class copper, gold, silver, and lithium deposits. Argentina has attracted many of the world’s leading mining companies—including BHP, Lundin Mining, Glencore, Rio Tinto, First Quantum Minerals, and McEwen Mining—which are developing or operating major copper projects across the country. This growing presence of global industry participants, together with a robust pipeline of new projects and increasing international investment, positions Argentina to become a significant global supplier of copper and other critical minerals essential for the energy transition.
In recent years, the government has taken steps to stabilise the macroeconomic environment and improve the investment framework for mining, including incentives for foreign capital and infrastructure development. Provincial governments, key stakeholders in Argentina’s federal mining regime, have also demonstrated strong support for responsible resource development. While challenges remain, including currency volatility and regulatory complexity, the direction of reform and the scale of untapped resources present a compelling opportunity. For investors and operators alike, Argentina offers a rare combination of geological scale, strategic commodity exposure, and improving access to a high-growth mining frontier.
Major mining hub
- Growing mining exports from Tier-1 deposits of copper, lithium, gold and silver
- Increasing foreign investment from major mining companies and strategic partners
- Improving infrastructure development in key mining provinces (San Juan, Catamarca, Salta and Jujuy)
World-class geology and discovery potential
- Argentina sits along the Andes copper-gold belt with Chile which hosts major porphyry and epithermal systems
- Provides exposure to large, long and globally relevant projects
- Large undeveloped copper project pipeline
Supportive policy settings
- Pro-investment policy reforms improving fiscal stability and investor confidence
- Introduction of the RIGI investment regime, offering long-term tax, FX and regulatory stability for large projects:
- Long-term legal certainty across the project life
- Corporate tax reduced from 35% to 25%
- Exemption from federal and provincial import taxes
- No requirement to convert USD revenues; full dividend repatriation
Board brings deep experience in Argentina’s mining sector
Non-Executive Chairman
Corporate geologist with 38 years’ experience across exploration, mining, feasibility, financing and marketing
Has served as a director of 16 ASX and TSX listed companies over the past 24 years
Non-Executive Director
Geologist with over 30 years of experience in mineral exploration
Founder of Rio de Oro Corp Australia, and founding Managing Director of Ioneer Ltd
Non-Executive Director of Gold50 Ltd, and Moxico Resources
Non-Executive Director
PhD in Geology with over 30 years’ experience in mineral exploration
Former VP Exploration for OceanaGold, Goldfields and Suramina (Lundin Group Co)
Managing Director
30 years’ experience focused on the acquisition, funding, exploration and development of resource projects
Previously Managing Director of Platina Resources Ltd and Chief Executive Officer at Sayona Mining Ltd
Non-Executive Director of Elementos Ltd
Executive Director
PhD in Geology with over 25 years of experience in mineral exploration
Founder of Rio de Oro Argentina
Formerly Exploration Manager of Goldfields Chile, VP Exploration Mariana Resources, and Chief Geologist Crystallex International
Executive and advisory team provides an additional layer of Argentine experience
Advisor
Currently serves as the CEO of UK-based Moxico Resources, a copper producer in Africa, and as a non-executive director of Ioneer (ASX:INR) an emerging producer of lithium-boron in the USA. Previously held senior roles at Rio Tinto including Chief Executive, Energy & Minerals, Chief Executive, Diamonds & Minerals, and CFO, Iron Ore.
Chief Financial Officer
Chartered accountant with over 30 years’ experience as a CFO, Business Adviser, and Executive Leader
Worked with a number of ASX small caps including Elementos’ (ASX: ELT), which was advancing projects in Argentina and Chile
Senior Counsel, Argentina
Mining lawyer based in Argentina with over 25 years’ experience in the country’s mining sector
Former Federal Undersecretary of Energy and Mining of Argentina
Advising Geologist
Globally renowned economic geologist consultant with over 40 years’ experience across 70 countries including Argentina
Porphyry/epithermal specialist
Involved in numerous mineral discoveries