Pan American Silver's Argentine project in doubt after mining law repeal

The government of Argentina's Chubut province repealed a law that would have allowed open pit mining in two areas, including where Pan American Silver Corp.'s Navidad silver project is located, the company said Dec. 21.

Chubut's legislature approved the law Dec. 15, but it was revoked Dec. 20 following days of protests by local communities.

Chubut Gov. Mariano Arcioni tweeted that the province will promote a plebiscite on the issue, Reuters reported Dec. 20.

The project has been shelved since 2013 after it violated a ban on the use of cyanide in open pit mining.