Argentina’s natural resources span oil, gas, minerals and rich wildlife and plant life. The country produces some 635,320 barrels of oil a day and ranks among the world’s leading silver producers, at 808 tonnes in 2023 according to the USGS. Which natural resources in Argentina stand out most, and where does it sit in the global mining rankings?
Argentina is a country with a wide variety of natural resources. From the vast plains of the Pampas to the peaks of the Andes, the country’s geographic diversity is reflected in the richness of its ecosystems.
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The natural resources of Argentina include a great deal of wildlife and plant life, as well as major reserves of minerals and fossil fuels. Agriculture and fishing are also important sectors of the Argentine economy, which shows how heavily the country depends on its natural resources.
Which natural resources stand out in Argentina, and what is its natural wealth? Where does Argentina rank in global mineral resource rankings? Which water and energy resources are used? How is land used, and how is biodiversity protected in Argentina?
Natural Resources
Natural resources are materials or energy sources provided by or found on Earth that are useful to humans. Every product we manufacture is made up of natural resources.
- Renewable resources: these can be restored by natural processes faster than the rate at which they are consumed. Examples include solar radiation, wind, hydroelectric power, water when used properly, and plant and animal life.
- Non-renewable resources: once extracted, these are depleted and cannot regenerate. Examples include hydrocarbons, metals and minerals.
Examples of Argentina’s main natural resources
Argentina in figures: environmental indicators
The most recent official figures available on Argentina’s environmental condition.
| Forest cover | 10.3% of the territory2023 |
|---|---|
| Protected land area | 8.8% of the territory2025 |
| Annual change in forest area | −1,090 km² per year (2018–2023) |
| Renewable fresh water per capita | 6,431 m³ per year2022 |
| Threatened species | 249 mammals, birds, fish and plants2022 |
| Agricultural area | 42.4% of the territory2023 |
Map of Argentina’s natural resources by region
Argentina is divided into five broad geographic regions — Northwest, Litoral, Cuyo, Pampas and Patagonia — each with distinct natural resources.
Oil and gas resources in Argentina
Argentina produces about 635,320 barrels of oil per day (2023), keeping it among the larger producers worldwide. It also holds oil reserves of around 2,480,000,000 barrels (2021), placing it thirty-fifth (35th) in the global ranking of oil reserves.
The main oil-producing region in Argentina is Patagonia, home to important natural resources.
Despite holding significant natural gas resources, Argentina is a mid-sized producer, with dry natural gas output of 46.8 billion cubic meters in 2024 (EIA). The country sits sixteenth (16th) in the global ranking of natural gas producers, and more than 70% of its production now comes from the Vaca Muerta shale formation.
Examples of Argentina’s mineral resources
In Argentina, proven reserves of coal stood at about 800 million tonnes as of 2023, some 0.07% of world coal reserves. This resource is found mainly in Patagonia, where most of the country’s coal production is concentrated.
In 2019, Argentina produced a total of 438 thousand tonnes of aluminum, placing it eighteenth in the global production ranking for this resource. The main aluminum-producing region in Argentina is Patagonia, home to the Aluar smelter in Puerto Madryn (Chubut), the country’s sole primary aluminum producer.
In 2023, Argentina produced approximately 808 tonnes of silver, keeping it among the world’s leading producers of this metal (USGS MCS 2025). The main silver-producing region in Argentina is the province of Santa Cruz, followed by Jujuy. Silver production is an important economic resource for the country, since the metal is used across industries including electronics, jewelry and medicine.
Argentina has gold output of 60 tonnes in 2020 and reserves of 1,600 tonnes of the same metal. It ranks seventeenth in the global production ranking for gold. The country’s main mine is Veladero, in the province of San Juan.
Water resources of Argentina
Argentina holds a freshwater reserve of 876 km³, placing it sixteenth (16th) in the global ranking of water reserves as of 2020. This water resource is fundamental to the country’s development, since it is used for human consumption, agriculture and hydroelectric generation.
Argentina has two main rivers, the Paraná and the Uruguay, which cross much of the territory and flow into the Río de la Plata, the widest estuary in the world. The country’s main lake is Nahuel Huapi, in Argentine Patagonia.
Average rainfall and soils of Argentina
Argentina has average annual rainfall of 591 mm, ranking one hundred and fifteenth (115th) worldwide on this indicator. The country’s soils vary with actual humidity, being wetter in areas of higher rainfall and drier in regions where rain is scarcer.
Renewable electricity and hydropower production in Argentina
In 2025, Argentina generated 53.0 TWh of electricity from renewable sources — 35% of its total generation of 153.1 TWh — and hydropower supplied 26.3 TWh (Ember, 2025). The country’s main hydroelectric plant is the Yacyretá dam, shared with Paraguay on the Paraná River in the province of Corrientes, with installed capacity of 3,100 MW.
Forest resources of Argentina
Argentina holds considerable forest wealth, its main forest region being the Gran Chaco. According to the World Bank (2022), the country’s forest area reaches 10.36% of its land area, equivalent to some 283,550 km².
That places Argentina 19th worldwide for forest area.
Environmental performance and protection of Argentina’s natural resources
Argentina has an Environmental Performance Index (EPI 2024) score of 47.0 and ranks eighty-first (81st) on the index. It also has protected land and marine areas covering 9.7% of its total territorial area, showing its commitment to conserving natural resources. To learn more about the Environmental Performance Index, visit Environmental Performance Index (EPI 2024).
Natural parks of Argentina: the hidden wealth of natural resources
”Biodiversity: animal and plant resources of Argentina
Birds of Argentina
Argentina is a country rich in natural resources, and its bird diversity shows it. With a total of 1,004 bird species recorded in 2018, Argentina ranks 15th worldwide for number of species.
It also has 16 endemic bird species, found only in this country. It is worth noting, however, that 52 bird species are endangered, which makes protective measures necessary.
Among Argentina’s most emblematic species is the Andean condor, one of the largest birds in the world.
Fish and amphibians of Argentina
In 2019, 172 amphibian species were recorded, placing the country 21st worldwide for number of amphibian species.
It also has a total of 1,016 fish species, ranking 47th worldwide for number of fish species. Notably, 42 of those fish species are threatened.
Among fish, the most notable is the rainbow trout, a species introduced from North America.
Mammals of Argentina
Argentina is a country of great mammal diversity, with a total of 374 species as of 2016. Of those, however, 38 are threatened.
Even so, Argentina ranks ninth worldwide for number of mammal species. It also has 85 endemic mammal species, which likewise places it ninth worldwide for this resource.
The country’s flagship mammal is the guanaco, an animal that is endangered in some regions.
Reptiles of Argentina
Argentina has great reptile diversity, with a total of 447 species as of 2019, placing it 14th worldwide. This natural resource is of great importance to the country, notably its flagship reptile the yarará, a venomous snake found across various regions of Argentine territory.
Plants of Argentina
Argentina has great vascular plant diversity, with a total of 10,221 species recorded in 2020, placing it 18th worldwide for number of species. Among the most notable is the national tree, the ceibo, an ornamental and medicinal plant that grows along rivers and wetlands in the northeast of the country.
Organizations that protect or study Argentina’s natural resources
- National Secretariat of the Environment: the national body that drives environmental policy and the country’s sustainable development.
- National Parks Administration (APN): manages the country’s most important protected areas to conserve its natural heritage.
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council (CONICET): the state body that promotes science, including environmental research in Argentina.
- National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA): researches and promotes the sustainable development of agricultural and natural resources.
- Fundación Vida Silvestre Argentina: organization protecting the country’s forests, grasslands, oceans and priority species.
- Aves Argentinas (Ornithological Association of the Plata): century-old association protecting birds and their natural habitats in Argentina.
The world’s leading soymeal exporter
The country led global soymeal sales in the 2023/24 season, with close to 34.8% of the world market Fastmarkets (USDA data), 2023. Its crushing industry is concentrated along the Paraná River, in Santa Fe. Argentina is also the world’s third-largest soybean producer NASA, 2020.
Lithium reserves in the Andean triangle
Argentina holds some 4.4 million tonnes of lithium reserves, the fourth-largest volume in the world out of a global total of 37 million Investing News (USGS data), 2025. Its northwestern salt flats form part of the lithium triangle along with Chile and Bolivia.
Vaca Muerta: unconventional oil and gas
Vaca Muerta supplied 58% of Argentine crude in September 2024 and 74% of natural gas EIA, 2024. The EIA estimates 16 billion barrels of shale oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of recoverable gas EIA, 2024.
Unconventional oil production reached 550,881 barrels a day in September 2025, a record equivalent to 66% of the national total, according to official data OilPrice, 2025.
Deforestation in the Gran Chaco
The Gran Chaco covers some 650,000 km² across four countries and is the largest dry forest in South America. Between 1985 and 2013, close to 20% of it — some 142,000 km² — was converted to cropland and pasture NASA, 2020. Soybeans and cattle ranching were the main drivers.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Argentina rank in the world soymeal market? It was the world’s leading exporter in the 2023/24 season, with around 34.8% of global trade Fastmarkets (USDA data), 2023.
How much lithium does Argentina have? It holds some 4.4 million tonnes of reserves, the fourth-largest volume in the world Investing News (USGS data), 2025.
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