Mining Logistics in San Juan: The Projects Transforming the Andean Corridor
Veladero, Los Azules, Josemaría and the Vicuña JV: how the new mining wave in San Juan is generating historic logistics demand and what it means for supply transport.
San Juan and the largest mining investment in Argentine history
In the last three years, San Juan went from being the province with the greatest mining potential in Argentina to being the one capturing the largest investment. The Vicuña JV —the joint venture between Lundin Mining and BHP for the Josemaría and Filo del Sol projects— represents USD 18.1 billion in committed investment, the highest figure in the history of Argentine mining.
Behind each of those millions are tons of supplies that need to reach the Andes.
The active projects and their logistics demand
Veladero — Barrick Gold
It is the largest gold project in production in the country. It operates at 4,300 meters above sea level in the Iglesia Department. The supply logistics are permanent: process reagents, fuels, lubricants, spare parts and daily consumables.
Access from Mendoza is via National Route 40 North to San Juan, then via Provincial Route 149 toward Iglesia. These are routes we know well.
Los Azules — McEwen Copper
With more than 10 billion pounds of copper in reserves, Los Azules is one of the largest undeveloped copper deposits in the world. The active development phase is generating growing demand for machinery and heavy-equipment transport.
Access via Calingasta presents specific challenges: some stretches of the route are gravel and conditions change with the seasons. Mountain-route experience is not optional in this area.
Vicuña JV: Josemaría and Filo del Sol — Lundin / BHP
This is the project concentrating the most sector attention. The joint venture between Lundin Mining and BHP created the largest mining construction operation underway in Argentina. The construction schedule means sustained logistics demand for years: civil-works materials, machinery, housing modules for thousands of workers, industrial supplies and installation equipment.
The impact on the access routes to the Iglesia Department is already visible. Routes that previously handled 20 trucks a day now see 5 times more.
Hualilán — Golden Mining
The first project of the new wave to already award transport contracts under the RIGI regime. USD 18.7 million to move 720,000 tons. Valle Fértil is a corridor entering San Juan's logistics agenda after years of low profile.
Gualcamayo — Boroo Inc.
A gold mine in production in Jáchal. Constant demand for critical supplies for continuous operations. It is the type of client that needs a reliable long-term logistics provider, not just for construction peaks.
What this means for the logistics chain
The scale of the projects in San Juan is generating three simultaneous phenomena:
1. Pressure on available capacity
The San Juan mining corridors do not have Vaca Muerta's infrastructure. The availability of high-mountain authorized trucks, with drivers experienced in the Andes and valid SEDRONAR authorizations, is limited. Companies that plan ahead have an advantage.
2. Growing HSE requirements
The large international operators (BHP, Lundin, Barrick) apply the same Health, Safety and Environment standards as in their global operations. This includes logistics-provider audits, site entry protocols and more exhaustive driver documentation than in conventional transport.
3. Advance planning as a competitive advantage
For projects in the construction stage, the supply of critical inputs on the right timelines can directly impact the construction schedule. Not arriving on time can cost more than the freight itself.
Why Mendoza is the natural logistics base
Mendoza is less than 300 km from San Juan city via National Route 40. From our base in Maipú, the transit time to the access points of the main San Juan mining projects is shorter than from any other province.
In addition, Mendoza concentrates much of the mining supply chain: input distributors, equipment-maintenance workshops and a direct connection with national and international suppliers via RN 7.
We have operated in San Juan since before the province was the mining epicenter it is today. We know the routes, the entry protocols of the main sites and the real transit times.
Do you have a mining project in San Juan and need a logistics provider? Visit our San Juan coverage page or contact us directly about the Mendoza–San Juan route.
