The Province of Mendoza officially launched the first edition of the Andean Capital Forum, an international gathering designed to connect mining projects with global investors and financial markets. The event brought together government officials, mining executives, capital market representatives and international institutions, reinforcing Mendoza’s ambition to become a financial hub for mining development across the Andes.
Governor Alfredo Cornejo opened the forum alongside Mendoza’s Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre; Guillaume Légaré, Head of South America for the Toronto Stock Exchange; and Stelios Papagrigoriou, co-founder of IN-VR. The forum is organized by the Government of Mendoza together with Impulsa Mendoza, IN-VR, the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the Mendoza Stock Exchange and BYMA (Bolsas y Mercados Argentinos).
During his remarks, Cornejo emphasized that modern mining development depends not only on natural resources but also on talent, capital, institutional stability and investor confidence. He described Mendoza’s strategy as the creation of a “financial startup platform” capable of integrating regional projects with international capital markets and improving access to financing for the mining industry.
“Mendoza has clear comparative advantages that position the province as a link between projects and financing,” Cornejo stated, highlighting the province’s logistics, international connectivity, skilled workforce and institutional strength. He also stressed Mendoza’s political commitment to global integration and long-term development.
The Governor framed the initiative within the global energy transition, noting that critical minerals now occupy a central role in international markets and that the Andean region holds a historic opportunity to supply future demand. According to Cornejo, the presence of investors, companies and financial institutions at the forum confirms that Mendoza is building an ecosystem capable of becoming a key player in financing Andean mining projects
Minister Jimena Latorre also underscored the importance of international partnerships and strategic cooperation in expanding Mendoza’s mining sector. She explained that the province aims to broaden its exploration project pipeline while facilitating integration into international financing circuits.
Latorre connected economic development with innovation, knowledge and investment capacity, arguing that natural resources become more valuable when supported by technology, financing and competitiveness. She stressed that sustainable growth requires stronger connections between resources, capital and innovation, adding that capital markets play a crucial role in multiplying investment opportunities and enabling long-term mining development.
Sebastián Piña, CEO of Impulsa Mendoza, reinforced the province’s ambition to replicate the role that cities such as Vancouver play in Canada’s mining finance ecosystem. He pointed to Mendoza’s educational institutions, professional talent, logistics infrastructure and connectivity as competitive advantages that could help transform the province into a regional meeting point for mining investors and projects.
“Mendoza has the talent generation capable of quickly learning how mining finance works and becoming the place where projects from across the region connect with capital,” Piña said.
International representatives also highlighted Mendoza’s growing visibility within the global mining investment landscape. Guillaume Légaré noted that international investors are increasingly searching for jurisdictions with long-term development visions and stable institutional frameworks. He explained that the Toronto Stock Exchange has been working for years to strengthen ties with Mendoza and help position the province internationally.
“There is a very strong interest in understanding Mendoza as a new pro-investment mining jurisdiction,” Légaré stated, emphasizing that the province’s efforts in communication and international positioning are essential in an increasingly competitive global market for mining capital.
He also noted that more than 150 Argentine mining properties are already listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, although additional private financing sources will still be needed to help many projects advance toward development stages.
Meanwhile, Stelios Papagrigoriou highlighted the broader regional opportunity surrounding Andean mining development. He explained that IN-VR works closely with governments seeking to attract foreign investment and argued that Mendoza has the potential to become a strategic headquarters for mining investment across the Andes.
“There is a huge opportunity for the entire region because it has incredible resources, and Mendoza has a great opportunity to position itself as a center for the region,” Papagrigoriou said.