Overview
- The Presidency asked lawmakers to give the bill swift consideration during the special session window that runs through December 30.
- The draft redefines periglacial areas and limits safeguards to glaciers that demonstrate an “effective hydric function.”
- Provincial authorities would take the lead on environmental impact reviews under a federalism approach the government links to constitutional articles 41 and 124, with closer coordination with the National Glacier Inventory.
- The mining chamber CAEM says clearer rules could unlock roughly US$35 billion in copper investments by unblocking projects in Andean provinces.
- More than 25 organizations criticized the move, arguing it would enable large‑scale, high‑impact mining near sensitive mountain watersheds and threaten glacier‑held water.