Glaciers in Argentina

Above, the north face of Perito Moreno glacier from Lake Argentino
and, below, a view from on the glacier, May 2012. E. Schmall

Argentina's Supreme Court reversed a lower court ruling that suspended a glacier protection law in the province of San Juan, threatening to derail several multi-billion-dollar mining projects. Canadian mining giant Barrick Gold (ABX) will have to conduct a comprehensive national survey of Argentina's remaining glaciers and glacial ice before proceeding with operations. Together, the areas account for much of the country's fresh water. Barrick and other mining companies as well as the mountainous provinces that benefit directly challenged the law on constitutional grounds, arguing the national government should have no say in regulating mining.