Utah Delegation Seeks Joint Solutions with Argentina for Lake Shrinkage and Mineral Supply

Utah leaders, among them the Department of Natural Resources director, a state representative, and the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity chief, completed a ten-day trade mission across several Argentine provinces. They noted that the Great Salt Lake and Argentina’s Mar Chiquita share size, depth and salinity, and both support the Wilson’s phalarope, prompting talks on collaborative research to stabilize the shrinking lakes.

Discussions also covered water-addition strategies, such as leasing and optimization programs for Utah farmers, to meet the 250,000 acre-feet target cited by the lake’s commissioner. On the mineral front, the team examined Argentine deposits as a source of feedstock for Utah’s “Mission Critical” plan, which aims to process at least half of the state’s mined minerals locally and cut permitting times. The delegation highlighted the strategic need to reduce reliance on China, which dominates global rare-earth and other critical mineral production. Officials hope to return soon to formalize agreements and anticipate a future visit by Governor Spencer Cox.