By Mathew Cohen Rio Tinto has secured approval for its $2.5bn lithium mining project in Argentina's Salta province, becoming the first mining venture to win backing under the government's Large Investment Incentive Regime (RIGI).

According to Daniel Gonzalez, Secretary of Mining and Energy Coordination, Argentina has authorized a $2.5 billion lithium mining project by Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO), the first mining approval under the nation’s RIGI investment incentive program.