Salta Province Declares Abandonment of Los Andes Wildlife Reserve Amid Lithium Mining Expansion

The Los Andes Wildlife Reserve in Salta, Argentina, covering 14,450 square kilometers, is critical for biodiversity and indigenous communities but is facing increased mining activity for lithium. Despite a management plan established in 2018 to protect key areas, the provincial government has issued 22 concessions for lithium mining within the reserve. The reserve, home to endangered species like the vicuña and various flamingos, lacks adequate protection, having only one park ranger. This situation highlights the conflict between conservation efforts and mining interests in the region.

Published Mar 26, 2026

The Los Andes Wildlife Reserve in Salta, Argentina, spans 14,450 square kilometers and is vital for conservation and indigenous communities. However, it has been granted 22 mining concessions for lithium extraction, compromising its ecological integrity.

AI-curated by Theia

A management plan devised in 2018 aimed to restrict mining in sensitive areas, yet the plan remains unimplemented. The reserve's biodiversity includes endangered species such as the vicuña and three types of flamingos. The government has prioritized mining over conservation, leading to concerns about the reserve being treated as a 'paper reserve' with insufficient protection efforts.