First off, story time: When I first touched down in Argentina, I found myself parking up in Palermo, Buenos Aires. I still remember that first steak at a parrilla. Back then, the prices were absurdly low in USD terms, it was all a lifestyle that felt downright extravagant.

Has that changed? Short answer: Yes.

Let’s be real—it was never going to last. What surprised me in my early days here was how many foreigners shrugged off the obvious, completely unfazed by Argentina’s “everything-for-nothing” deal in dollars. Those of us who’d done our fair share of travel just soaked it in with complete disbelief—this was all less than two years ago.

A standout memory is when I took my dad to Bariloche about 18 months ago. There I was, feeling very wealthy, living it up in Argentina’s version of the German Alps.

We rented a brand-new car for $20 a day, filled up at $0.40 a litre, and stayed in epic log cabins for $30 a night. We cruised the legendary Seven Lakes Road, ate $10 steaks and lamb dinners, and polished it off with $5 bottles of Malbec.

Literally, a place where you could live a champagne lifestyle on a backpacker’s budget (and let’s be honest, I’m always wired to live like a backpacker, even when I don’t have to).

What’s Changed?

In this piece, I’ll break down what I’m spending now and my plan for the next six months—including a brief nod to the new role I’ve just stepped into (stay tuned for more details when I’m actually allowed to fully write about it).

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Being an Aussie based in Buenos Aires and drawing from my experience as a Project Geologist with AngloGold Ashanti, I enjoy covering this topic.

Right now, I’m closely tracking Unico Silver, Challenger Gold, Pampa Metals, and Belararox Resources. With the field season beginning, I’ve also analysed their one-month share performance to see how they’re progressing.

It’s an exciting time for the sector, with several mining and exploration companies set to benefit from the Milei government’s RIGI scheme (Régimen de Incentivo a las Grandes Inversiones). The scheme provides tax breaks, eased currency controls, and lower royalties, making Argentina as attractive to foreign investors as it has been in decades.

These changes have already drawn the attention of major players like BHP, Lundin Mining, First Quantum, and Glencore. Additionally, the RIGI incentives improve the economics for smaller resource-stage exploration stocks, making these projects more viable and appealing to investors.

One of the biggest wins under RIGI is the reduction in corporate taxes. Under this scheme, Argentina’s corporate income tax rate has been lowered to 25% from the previous rate of 35%. This reduced rate applies for 30 years to qualifying projects, providing long-term relief for investors and easing the burdens that were imposed during the Kirchner-era policies of economic protectionism.

With these reforms, Argentina is now more aligned with countries like Chile and Peru, which are known for their competitive mining sectors.

The big question on my mind is: Can the geology and mineralisation deliver for Argentina 🇦🇷 this field season?

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Simply put, I live in Argentina because I can enjoy a high quality of life for a lower cost than I would in Australia. 🇦🇺

It may sound lazy (or even pathetic - I don’t care), but to achieve the same quality of life in Australia, I’d have to work significantly harder, sacrificing my time for money.

The danger of sacrificing time for money is that it’s what everyone else is doing—it’s like the saying, “If everybody is thinking the same thing, then no one is really thinking.”

I honestly think herd mentality—following the crowd—can prevent individuals from critically assessing their own decisions or exploring better opportunities - especially financially.

For numerous reasons, dating back to the COVID insanity, I now base my life on avoiding the crowd and following common trends.

This approach allows me to have 100% of my time to focus on investments, minimise taxes (legally), and—through trial and error—put myself on a path towards financial growth, without the headwinds of increasingly socialist policies and heavy tax burdens in the West.

For example, I recently signed a new two-year contract to move into an apartment in Buenos Aires. The equivalent quality of living in Sydney, Melbourne, or any major Western capital city without the current economic issues of Buenos Aires would cost me at least 3-4 times what I’m paying in rent here.

I’ll walk you through the process—it’s not as easy as you might think if you’re just a standard gringo/yanqui like me. Most foreigners have some connection or safety net here—an Argentine job, serious wealth, a partner, kid, Mercosur ties, or family.

This article I wrote at the start of the year is still valid; the only thing that has changed is the socialist rental law, which Milei scrapped when he took office (now the rental market is booming)… funny that!

However, there are things you can do and say to maximise your chances. Here’s exactly what I’m paying each month, along with some tips to help you save money if you decide to take a similar approach or are simply interested in the process…

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I’ve reviewed their reports to the market since I first introduced them to you in the publication.

Are they still worth an investment?

Things change, so I’ll provide my updated recommendations before the field season begins.

Plus, I’ll add a personal touch by sharing my involvement with some of these names through my boots-on-the-ground connections in Argentina.

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I’ve mentioned this opportunity to friends and family, and naturally, I’m a bit cautious about it - but at least I have my money where my mouth is.

Options trading has been quiet; I placed a trade last week for a few hundred US dollars to keep things moving (I mentioned this in the Substack chat). Apart from that, I’ve just been eating meat and going to the gym here in Buenos Aires.

I’m holding out for some potential catalysts in the uranium market and the upcoming drill season in the Argentine Andes, which starts around September-October.

The cost of living in Buenos Aires seems to have increased - just like that - since the last ‘What I’m Seeing in Argentina #2’ article.

I think Milei and his La Libertad Avanza party are looking stronger and stronger, especially with the Kirchnerists (Unión por la Patria) coming out in support of Maduro in Venezuela. The current scandal, with authorities going through the phones of ex-Kirchnerist president Alberto Fernández, is downright exposing that corrupt political party for what it is.

Anyway, I’ll cover the usual boots-on-the-ground market news—mining and exploration updates, Milei’s progress, the cost of living, and a recommendation for Buenos Aires/Argentina enthusiasts.

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Yerba Mate: The term “Yerba” means “herb” in Spanish, while “Mate” comes from the Quechua word “mati,” which refers to the traditional gourd used to drink the infusion. 

Maybe I’m just a junkie. but I, too, like the people of the Southern Cone - Argentinians, Southern Brazilians, Uruguayans and Paraguayans, - struggle to put down the mate during the day.

Interestingly, not many Australians I’ve met here in Buenos Aires seem to get around the whole mate setup. I must admit, it took me at least a year of living here to fully appreciate it.

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba mate is a traditional South American beverage made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. The drink is prepared by steeping the dried leaves (known as “yerba”) in hot water, typically in a hollowed-out gourd (mate), and sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla.

Yerba mate plant thrives in a subtropical climate.

Brazil leads as the top producer, contributing approximately 53% of the global production, particularly from the southern states like Paraná, Rio Grande do Sul, and Santa Catarina. Argentina follows with about 37% of the production, mainly from the Misiones province. Paraguay contributes around 10% of the production.

The mate infusion has Guaraní (Paraguayan) origins. Native populations in the region consumed this plant in various forms and for different purposes. A Spanish conquestador first document its consumption, specifically in what is now Paraguay in the year 1531.

In the 17th century, the Jesuit order began cultivating and domesticating yerba mate. However, in 1769, they were expelled from the Americas, halting the organised cultivation until it restarted in the early 1900s.

In Uruguay, people proudly claim yerba mate as their own, and they’re incredibly passionate about it, often seen carrying mate gourds and thermoses everywhere they go. In Argentina, mate is also a cultural staple, with many people considering it an Argentine tradition. The country has a large-scale production of yerba mate and a strong marketing presence, making it an integral part of daily life.

The Health Benefits:

After reading various studies on the health effects of yerba mate during my time in the Southern Cone, I’ve decided it’s time to write an article about this green tea-like beverage. 

My Argentine girlfriend is helping me with this article. Those first few minutes in the morning before we’ve had our yerba mate can be quite volatile!

But do you really want to get involved in mate culture? Especially considering that people from the Southern Cone can’t seem to go anywhere during the day or night without their yerba mate setup.

Is yerba mate highly addictive, causing people to rely on it all day? Maybe, but all the research I’ve done suggests that it’s one of the healthiest ways to consume caffeine. It offers a tonne of benefits that even surpass those of green tea.

One of the world’s most respected neuroscientists Professor Andrew Huberman is a huge proponent of the yerba mate, he has his own brand which probably extends from his father being Argentine.

Andrew Huberman has discussed the benefits of yerba mate on multiple occasions, highlighting its positive effects on both physical and mental health. Some of the notable benefits he mentions include:

One of the most significant studies I’ve come across: A 2014 study highlighted that consuming 100 mg of yerba mate an hour before exercise increased fat oxidation by 24%, enhancing fat burning and overall caloric expenditure during workouts. The study also mentions yerba mate’s potential to reduce visceral fat and improve blood sugar levels.

Different Yerbas:

You can find bags of yerba mate virtually everywhere in Argentina. It’s available in small corner stores known as “kioskos,” at service stations, supermarkets, and even in Chinese supermarkets.

If you’re on a road trip in Argentina, every fuel station typically offers a hot water fill-up point for your thermos and a wide selection of yerba mate bags. Yerba mate is bloody great on long drives!

My plan one day - buy one of those Toyota Fortunas turbo diesel 4WD and drive the whole of Ruta 40 - the spine road of Argentine - along the mountain ranges of Patagonia, stopping off in small towns, eating local produce and travelling until the very north of the country - I will need plenty of yerba mate for this!

The largest yerba mate producers in Argentina include: (mostly all founded by European immigrants).

Las Marias (brands: Unión, La Merced, Mañanita, and Taragüi).

Playadito (brand), produced by Cooperativa Liebig, founded in 1926 by German immigrants.

Establecimiento Las Maras (brand: Rosamonte), founded by a German immigrant

CBSé (various yerbas), founded by a Polish immigrant.

La Cachuera (brand: Amanda), founded by a Polish immigrant.

Establecimiento Santa Ana (brand: Cruz de Malta.

Yerba Brand Recommendations:

Unión Orginal:

A softer, less acidic, good starter and entry point, my girlfriend’s favourite.

It is a suitable choice for beginners or those who prefer a softer taste.

The cut of Union Suave includes a good balance of traditional Argentine leaves and stems (con palo), with a noticeable amount of dust that helps maintain the traditional mountain of mate. 

The price for a 500g bag in Argentina is $3.712,5 ARS or US$3.00 (blue dollar rate).

La Merced - De Campo:

Known for its classic and balanced flavour profile, making it a popular choice among yerba mate enthusiasts. It comes with a traditional Argentine con palo cut. The flavour is described as light, smooth, and not overly sweet or bitter, which makes it great for both beginners and experienced drinkers.

The price for a 500g bad in Argentina is ARS$3,870 = US$3.10.

Playadito: (German - I love this brand)

Know for a light, non-smoky, and non-bitter profile, distinguishing it from many traditional Argentine mates, which can be harsher and more bitter.

The price for a 500g bag in Argentina is ARS$2,430 or US$2.00. (cheapest) (US$15 per 500g bag in Australia).

Cosmico: (I’m a big fan of this brand that a two influencers recently started, it’s all over social media here, and you can find it in main supermarkets in Buenos Aires such as Coto)

From the province of Misiones, Argentina, known for its fertile lands and traditional cultivation methods. This yerba mate is notable for its softer smooth, earthy flavour with subtle woody and sweet notes, making it accessible for both new and experienced yerba mate drinkers.

This stuff is hitting me hard! I know it says soft but I’ve been drinking it most days this week and it’s hitting me like a rocket before the gym session - loving it!

The price for a 500g bag in Argentina is ARS$3,550 or US$2.90. (or US$8.00 on online stores for the US).

Pampa Organica: You can buy organic brands from specialist shops here in Buenos Aires. My pick of those and one I buy often is Pampa.

The price for a 500g bag in Argentina is ARS$4,700 or US$3.90.

Steps to Get Started:

Now, let’s say I’ve convinced you to give it a go.

Do it the proper Argentine way! I’ll show you how I prepare it every morning, as taught to me by Argentines. This is the traditional way, similar to how the gauchos in the pampas or the first German settlers in Misiones province did it, who arguably started one of the most famous yerba brands, Playadito!

1. Buy a mate cup - either a de madera (wooden) or de calabaza (traditional gourd made from pumpkin). These cups are tough and, with proper care, can last you for years!​

2. Buy a bombilla (metal straw) - try to avoid the one that has the spring at the bottom and has the strainer filter instead (below).

3. Buy a large thermos (termo) - Stanley is the best quality.

4. Buy your pick of yerba - The yerba mate selections mentioned above are among the favourites for both me and my girlfriend. 

5. Once you have your whole yerba mate setup, it’s important to properly prepare or “cure” your mate gourd, especially if it’s made from wood or gourd. The curing process helps to seal the pores, prevent cracking, and impart a better flavour to your mate - leave yerba in the mate to soak with hot water for 24 hours!

Preparing and Drinking:

When preparing yerba mate, use hot water at 70-80°C (160-175°F) only. Make sure to tip the mate cup upside down to achieve the right distribution of the yerba. This process helps ensure that the finer yerba dust settles properly, preventing you from ending up with leaves and stems in your drink.

Typically, drink all the water in the mate as soon as you’ve filled it up; there is no need to wait too long for a brewing process. You can refill the gourd with hot water from the thermos anywhere from 5-10 times with the same yerba, depending on how long the yerba holds its taste without losing flavour. The number of refills is subjective and varies based on personal preference.

How to Buy Yerba Mate Outside of the Southern Cone of South America:

Here are some websites where you can purchase yerba mate and all the necessary accessories online:

Australia:

• Yerba Mate Australia - Offers a wide range of yerba mate products imported directly from South America. They provide brands like Taragüi, Playadito, and more, along with accessories like bombillas and gourds. Visit Website

• Chile Mojo - Based in Australia, this store offers a selection of yerba mate along with other Latin American products. Visit Website

• Pampa Direct - An online store specializing in South American products, including a variety of yerba mate options. Visit Website

United States/Canada/Europe:

• Un Mate - This official store offers a comprehensive selection of yerba mate products, including popular brands and accessories. Visit Website

• The Argentino - An online store that sells a variety of yerba mate brands and other Argentine products. Visit Website

• Pampa Direct - Also available in the US, this store provides a selection of yerba mate from different brands. Visit Website

• Mateina - Andrew Huberman’s brand - you can buy a whole yerba mate starter pack from their website for US$80.00. Visit Website.

Article Summary:

I’ve fully adapted to the yerba mate lifestyle and drink it every day, starting as soon as I wake up and continuing until I head to the gym.

I’ve found that drinking yerba mate and taking a lot of creatine before hitting the gym really enhances my workout. The combination gives a great pump and energy boost!

It’s also fantastic for road trips, hikes throughout Argentine Patagonia, and, of course, at the beach.

My body feels great on it, I’m probably addicted.

But, unlike the Argentines, I usually avoid drinking it after 2 PM. This is because some sleep experts I listen to advise against consuming caffeine 12 hours before bedtime to ensure it doesn’t interfere with sleep. 2 AM can be considered close enough to bedtime in Argentina!

I like the evidence I’ve seen with it and Andrew Huberman’s commentary. It’s a scientifically proven strong fat burner, a big mood enhancer, and rich in nutrients - packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, and E, as well as calcium, manganese, and zinc. It also helps improve digestion and boosts immune function due to its antioxidant properties.

It might take a while to embrace it fully into your routine, I had a few phases off and on when I first started.

Give it a go the Argentine way, from wherever you are in the world, and see how you feel!

If you made it this far you must be interested in it, let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for reading!

Jordan - Geólogo Trader 🇦🇺

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For context, Veladero is one of South America’s largest gold mines, producing a huge 500-600k ounces of gold per annum.

For scale, at a previous giant mine site I worked at in Australia, we had a 6km x 1km x 350m open pit in Western Australia, achieving an annual production of ~400k ounces per annum.

Filo Corp, with its Filo del Sol project, needs no introduction on Geólogo Trader. Currently sitting at a ~C$4 billion market cap, Lundin Mining recently approached BHP Group about making a joint bid for the company.

The point is, multi-billion dollar orebodies exist in this part of the world, and the gap of approximately 140km of underexplored terrain (red line in the map above) is worth taking a damn good look at.

“You want to find elephants? Go to elephant country.”

That is exactly what the company I’ll mention in this article (and not many others) are doing.

Another one to watch very closely as an Argentine copper-gold play.

My process, which I think is the ultimate bullshit radar: check the share register and see if management has significant skin in the game.

Well, there seems to be a highly reputable Australian exploration geologist (living in Argentina) who is completely running the show here.

Disclaimer: Before I dig in, read my thoughts on junior miners and my caution against investing in the sector in a free article I wrote here.

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Since I arrived in Argentina almost two years ago:

• Argentina won the World Cup.

• Argentina voted in a libertarian president, Javier Milei.

• Argentina approved a scheme that puts them (almost) on par with successful export economies, especially in the mining sector.

• Argentina won the Copa América (last night), and I didn’t get to bed until 3 a.m. (they’re a bloody passionate bunch 🍷).

They seem to be literally kicking goals since I arrived. They just need to fix the inflation issue, which Milei is addressing, and ensure he gains support in the 2025 midterm elections (it’s very important to eliminate the socialists from power here).

But, a lot has happened in the last week, with big news in the mining sector and some crazy moves with the currency (today). I’ll go through my thoughts and throw in a recommendation for a must-visit, easily accessible Gaucho town close to CABA (Buenos Aires City).

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I love how much time Rick gives to YouTube, and this discussion on silver with Antonio at Resource Talks is fantastic.

He doesn’t need to speculate anymore; he has made his fortune, but he seems to do it “out of fun.”

In the last cycle, he often notes that he made 10 baggers on silver stocks, and today he has positioned himself again.

Only 17% of primary silver produced today comes from silver mines. The rest comes from recycling or as a byproduct of other metals—most notably from some of the world’s largest porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum polymetallic deposits.

So what gives silver its value?

First, it is a rare, naturally occurring hard asset—a tangible investment you can hold in your hand that cannot be synthesized or made in a lab.

Silver is one of the most versatile metals for industrial use. It has thousands of applications across a wide variety of industries, from electronics and medicine to batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles, particularly plug-in electric vehicles, which is where I see the true trend heading.

Silver is also a monetary metal, meaning it has historically been used as a form of money.

Now let’s look at Argentina, whose name is directly derived from the Latin “Argentum” for silver.

Argentina has significant silver deposits in the ground, but it doesn’t produce anywhere near its potential. However, 2023 was a standout year for silver production.

In 2023, Argentina produced around 32 million ounces of silver, making it the world’s eleventh-largest producer of silver. This represents about 3.5% of the total global silver production for that year.

6-8 million ounces of silver annually come from the Puna Operations, operated by SSR Mining in Jujuy Province, and another 6-8 million ounces come from Cerro Morro in Santa Cruz Province, operated by Pan American Silver.

These deposits are smaller operations that mine high-grade ore. They are seriously dwarfed in terms of silver content compared to the Navidad deposit, also owned by Pan American Silver.

Navidad is one of the world’s largest undeveloped silver deposits, containing an estimated 632 million ounces of silver resources. However, it is currently unmineable as it is located in the heavily anti-mining province of Chubut.

Additionally, some of the undeveloped Argentine porphyry deposits contain significant amounts of silver:

Taca Taca: A porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in Salta that contains 211.3 million ounces of silver within an indicated resource.

Filo del Sol: High-sulphidation epithermal and porphyry copper-gold-molybdenum deposit in San Juan which contains 147 million ounces of silver within an indicated resource.

There is no shortage of silver in Argentina, but the capital expenditure (capex) required to develop these porphyries into producing mines is in the billions of dollars and depends on many factors.

I am hopeful for the next decade-plus with commodity fundamentals, the Milei government, and the implementation of the new mining and foreign investment-friendly RIGI scheme.

This is all great news for lower capex silver-only projects in Argentina. The price of silver is trading around $30 per ounce at the time of this article, with recent highs reaching $32.10 per ounce.

These silver prices represent a 10-year high, and on the back of an improving Argentine economic tailwind and recently approved mining-friendly reforms, I’ll go through a couple of silver stocks that stand out to me in Argentina.

I will consider their geological potential to add value and review their overall company health.

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I’ll cover the following topics on Argentina in one compiled newsletter:

• Market news - mining and exploration sectors.

• Javier Milei's progress, VLLC! But an unbiased perspective.

• Cost of living update, from a Buenos Aires barrio.

• An Argentina recommendation: bar, Airbnb, restaurant, parrilla, tour, meet up, holiday, geoarbitrage - something useful or valuable.

I enjoy keeping a pretty close eye on things in the news and I am starting to build a decent network, so I thought this information could be useful to you.

I decided to make this a regular segment because of how fast things change here and the amount of news being reported. I’ve also got a stack of restaurants, bars, and general recommendations I want to share with you and figured this is the best way.

Before I became a geologist, I spent about 5 years working in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in Australia and Europe, so I believe I have a pretty good eye for recommendations. I also have a borderline Malbec wine problem, but I think you guys will only benefit from that.

Let’s kick it off where I’ve got my mouth… and money.

Market News - Mining and Exploration.

The end of Peronia?

The RIGI, as part of the omnibus law, was approved in the Senate in June.

What is the RIGI, and why is it important?

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As a young geologist who refused to go down the Australian dream of taking on heavy debt to buy a house and Toyota Land Cruiser, I got hooked on the uranium fundamental story at the time:

• Powerhouse China is choking their cities with fossil fuels and will require a clean baseload energy source.

• Simple supply-demand fundamentals are easily mapped out per reactor - either the uranium price goes up or the lights go out on 10% of the world's power (20% in the US) - Rick Rule and Mike Alkin.

• ESG backflipping and adopting uranium as a green source of energy.

• ASX-listed stocks (from Ferg) with assets priced so low that it was as if they were drilling aircore holes for gold next to guerrillas in West Africa, all while having no debt.

All this was pre-SPUT launch, Japan restarts, and the world just waking the fuck up*

Fast forward 5 years, and I was able to make meaningful returns on those stocks which largely led me to the decision to quit my job. Fast forward an extra 2 years and uranium fundamentals just keep getting better, I’m still holding stocks but as an Australian “lifestyle refugee” set up in Buenos Aires, Argentina enjoying a few steaks and wines.

In short, I owe a bloody lot to uranium stocks!

Like many other commodities, Argentina doesn’t produce a single pound of uranium but has notable reserves on a global scale, with a ton of potential to add more.

In this article, I want to focus on uranium stocks in Argentina.

Am I investing in any here? Why or why not?

I found this one tough to write as I kept changing my mind the more information I found out.

I’ve met with a company a few times, and the process has helped me learn how not to operate in Argentina.

This company will probably come into play shortly as they’re about to list in Australia. Their main projects are in Argentina, uranium is gaining more retail traction, and the management includes a couple of well-known heavy hitters.

I’ll share it all in this article.

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Most of the world’s copper (60-70%) comes from one type of deposit - porphyry-style.

Guess who doesn't produce a single pound of copper but has front-row seats to it all, with a number of these types of deposits just sitting there idle?

On the other side of the Andes lies Chile, which exports the largest amount of copper globally and shares the same porphryr style geology with Argentina.

So, what is everyone else saying about this primary commodity and the sector fundamentals?

Well, the Telegraph (May 2024) seems to sum it up.

BlackRock recently stated that for new supply to be incentivised, we would need to see copper prices reach at least $12,000/t or approximately $5.50/lb.

We are currently at a copper price of $4.55/lb.

On top of all this, Goldman Sachs raises its price target to $12,000/t ($5.50/lb) at year-end. But be mindful of this one as I’ve heard they were offloading copper assets while pumping the fundamentals previously.

What implications might this have for significant investment decisions in Argentine copper?

Argentina's copper projects are currently completely inactive, and it's reasonable to speculate that if these projects were located in Chile, some would likely be fully operational mines.

In this article, I’ll aim to provide a basic overview of the geological fundamentals behind the world's major copper deposits. Understanding these basics is important for investors in the mining and exploration sector, as these deposits significantly influence company valuation.

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I’m (clearly) heavily focused on Argentina. 🇦🇷

I see an opportunity to make money here with my investments into resource stocks in an improving economic tailwind from President Milei.

All of which I’m completely transparent about in this publication.

But it’s not the only reason I’m here.

The bottom line, I love Argentina.

I’ve ticked over 18 months using Buenos Aires as my primary base.

This article is written to give you an updated list of recommendations in Buenos Aires which I keep fine-tuning as my time here continues.

I’ve found a great quality / value coworking office, restaurants, parrilla (steakhouse) and cigar bar.

I’m a creature of habit and quite picky about where I choose to go.

I’m sure you will enjoy these places.

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I’ve even heard it may have another 0 on it in the short term from some of my favourite commentators.

How the hell do you play it? It seems like everyone is talking about it.

Royalty companies, physical, or the miners.

My overall take?

Dunno. I’m just an ex-gold project exploration geologist, and I’ll provide some commentary on my strengths, focusing on what’s caught my eye while being situated in the land of steak, wine, and Javier Milei.

Lately, it’s this.

Argentina’s latest Mining Industrial Production Index was just released this week.

Gold and silver completely stand out at a 17% rise in production in Argentina (YoY) and that’s been driven by production in mining-friendly San Juan Province.

Operating mines of Veladero and Gualcamayo contribute the most.

San Juan, Argentina is damn hot right now.

So, the stock I’m interested in is once again in San Juan, Argentina. After a recent development in the news, I think it stands out as an opportunity if you looking to invest in a gold stock with a strong Argentina beta tailwind.

I’ve also concluded with some Argentina boot-on-the-ground commentary as per usual.

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My very first Substack article, which arguably attracted initial interest to my publication, was titled “It's a Good Life in Argentina”.

It focused on how prices were stupidly low in USD for a very high quality of life.

So, has that changed? The short answer is, yes.

Even today, I discuss this with people who simply do not realise how inexpensive Argentina was when I first arrived here, over a year ago.

Before coming to Argentina, I was in Peru, where I thought the cost of living was affordable, and indeed, it was.

However, what I encountered upon arriving in Argentina took me completely by surprise.

In my first few days in a neighborhood visually similar to Salamanca in Madrid, I recall my first steak at a parrilla in the Palermo neighborhood.

The restaurant looked top-end. I didn’t care, I was only planning on staying a couple of weeks in Argentina, and whatever the steak was going to cost I was happy to pay it.

At the time I just pulled out a big stack of $200 ARS bills I had just got from the Western Union, paid the bill then proceeded to work out what it cost me later on.

$10.

Then I went to the supermarket and grabbed a few items which I thought would cost me a fortune.

I honestly thought I had stolen the items when I worked out what I paid afterward.

This prompted me to change all my plans and figure out a way to stay here, permenently.

Not just for the low prices, I love the atmosphere, the steak, and of course the people/girls.

In other words, Buenos Aires ticked a lot of boxes for a single lad in my situation.

What’s the flip side of all this? Well, I’ll briefly touch on it here, with a more in-depth discussion to follow at the end of this article.

In Argentina, a range of items can be difficult to find, as the national industry has been protected to an extreme degree.

Supermarkets, in general, are shit.

The real challenge comes with purchasing electronics, clothes, and essentially anything imported. These items are pricey due to hefty import taxes and tariffs.

This setup could be manageable when the benefits of geoarbitrage outweigh the need for a wide variety of choices.

However, the situation is far from what it was just one year ago.

In this article, I want to talk about some of the price discovery I’m experiencing with the cost of living here, with some local context from my girlfriend and a close friend.

Some on-the-ground observations from the rapidly changing political, social, and pricing environment.

And, most importantly, I'll answer the question that's on your mind, at least from my perspective.

Is it still worth a visit or moving to Buenos Aires permenently?

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A young female travel blogger, employed by a major Australian mainstream news outlet, recently visited Buenos Aires and penned an article about her experience.

Shite article.

The lady spent as much money as you could and captured fuck all of this great city.

I read the article and it was so boring it made me want to leave the city, let alone visit it from the other side of the world - Australia.

I maintain my stance that there is a serious lack of quality realistic travel content out there.

I'm not claiming that you will discover it through my writing, but my goal is to make it authentic.

It’s also why I want to start up a local barrio steak tour here in Buenos Aires.

People come to Buenos Aires to experience the rich culture in the barrios and…

Eat the world’s best steak at affordable prices!

I’m not talking about visiting tourist-heavy areas like La Boca, I’m talking about ungentrified local barrios like the one I live in.

Stay tuned for that, it’s a work in progress for my loyal subscribers.

With all that being said, Buenos Aires is fucking uncomfortable at this time of the year.

I had a trip planned to Salta for a week because my Argentine girlfriend wanted to visit a place she had never been to before.

I loved it there, so I was happy to go back.

But, a strike at Aeropaque Airport meant our flight was canceled and rebooking would have cost a small fortune.

So I searched around for other flights, reasonably priced.

I was itching (literally) for some cooler weather and mountain time as Buenos Aires is too damn hot in February, and on top of that, there was a rare infestation of aggressive mosquitoes from the pampas plaguing the entire city.

So, an airport strike wasn’t bloody stopping me from going anywhere.

As I biasedly searched for flights to Patagonia, the town of Equel in Chubut Province came up with great flight times and reasonable prices.

I always filter my flights to the airline Aerolineas Argentinas and AEP (Aeroparque) Buenos Aires City Airport. I hate traveling out to Ezeiza (the main international airport > 1hr drive in shitty traffic).

Aerolineas Argentinas, although they’re a product of socialism and torch a $2-3m loss per day, is a good airline to fly and their business class options can be cheap as fuck.

Chubut province is somewhere I’ve been interested in as I dig into investment opportunities in Argentina through mining and mineral exploration.

It’s very anti-mining even though they have the potential to be one of the most prosperous provinces in Argentina with their immense natural resources in the ground.

With 80% of the province being an unhabitable desert, you’d think common sense would prevail and they’d take advantage of their fortune.

But, as the socialist corruption playbook goes, that’s a nope, and the people are poor and can’t have nice things.

That being said, Esquel and this part of Patagonian Chubut, which includes the National Park - Los Alerces are different.

Tucked in close to the towering peaks of Los Andes in pristine Argentine Patagonia, the whole area has a rich history of Welsh immigration, with many families still farming today in beautiful Welsh-style farming towns.

Summer and autumn are ideal times to visit Patagonia, as the climate is more stable compared to the brutal winter weather experienced here.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid - famous US outlaws in the late 19 century / early 20 century fled here from New York in 1901.

It’s so beautiful out here that Butch Cassidy wrote in a letter back to the USA that it (almost) cured him of a desire to commit crime.

That mindset lasted only four years, however, as he robbed the local provincial bank and fled to Bolivia.

Still, his ranch remains, and it’s an epic and off-the-radar day visit.

In this article, I’ll go through why you should visit here over other popular Patagonian hotspots.

Whether you are traveling single, as a couple, or with a group of friends.

• I’ll drop my duplex Airbnb which cost me $180 USD for 7 nights.

• Favourite restaurants - which is one place with two different cuisine options at Argentine geoarbitrage prices.

• Car hire recommendation - you need one here, and I found a ripper for the price.

• Places to visit and how to manage the time over a week.

I love this sort of traveling as it’s not on many tourist brochures when you visit Argentina, and that, in my view, is exactly where you want to be.

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This question fills up my inbox on Twitter/X constantly.

Make no mistake, if you venture a little outside of the gringo hotspots you will find great deals in this megacity of 14 million people.

This article is for people who want to spend a weekend, a couple of weeks, a month, or three years in Buenos Aires.

I’ll go through what I’ve figured out and run through the deal I have with my apartment for transparency.

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When dining with a group of Argentines, expect at least 2 hours filled with conversations and drinks.

This creates a bloody excellent atmosphere and makes for an fun city, trust me!

For this article, I'll streamline it to the top 3 recommendations.

The overwhelming array of choices when Googling restaurants in a new city can be frustrating — faced with a selection of 20+ options, making a decision becomes stressful, especially when time is limited.

In Buenos Aires, the choice is straightforward: it's either eat meat or get the fuck out.

While some soy and low testosterone options exist in the gringo hotspot Palermo, local barrio options are predominantly anti-vegan (thank god).

Local barrios, generally devoid of gringos (except my silly head and rig), epitomize the essence of Argentina – it's all about meat and cooking over fire and coals.

Argentine meat is of such high quality that a bit of salt suffices. However, adding house-made chimichurri and criollo (salsas) enhances the experience.

Ensure you order provoleta (Argentine cheese), chorizo (Argentine sausage), and empanadas (al horno = oven-cooked) for starters. And, of course, wash it down with a bottle of Argentine red wine, a Malbec, or a Cabernet Franc.

Additionally, don't hesitate to dine alone.

In Buenos Aires, nobody cares about the "dining solo" insecurities you may have picked up from the culture of some woke Western country.

Porteñas will likely just strike up a friendly conversation with you.

Here are my top 3 local barrio parrillas in Buenos Aires, perfected through trial and error:

Where you can order a 500-gram steak for $10 USD.

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But don’t let that stop you from visiting or even uprooting everything to move there. It’s still dirt cheap for those with foreign currency.

Places like Bariloche in Argentine Patagonia are incredible.

If you like hiking, mountain towns with incredible views, quality beer, and steaks.

This part of Argentina’s Rio Negro Province is fucking beautiful.

You can see why retired Nazi SS Captains on the run from Mossad called this place home from the 1950s onwards.

Erik Priebke (second in charge of the Gestapo in Rome during World War 2) made it to the year 1994 before a US news crew exposed him literally in the streets of Bariloche.

He was so comfortable in Bariloche that he used his German name.

It looks and feels like a European town in the German Alps, only at that Argentine Socialism induced price discount (for now).

Here is how to do a cost-efficient, minimal-fuss, 3-day weekend trip from Buenos Aires.

What’s the point of subscribing to Geólogo Trader without an epic Argentine Steakhouse (Parrilla) recommendation?

You all know I’m experienced on this topic after a year of nonstop steaks and boobs.

I don’t give out recommendations lightly. There is an absolute belter of one in Bariloche which is a must try.

As always, go to Buenos Aires City Airport (Aeroparque - AEP) and jump on an Aerolineas Argentinas flight to Bariloche (BRC).

I love Aeroparque as it’s a small airport only 10-15 mins from where I live in Villa Crespo.

Aerolineas are my favourite airline in Argentina. Traveling with carry-on baggage is easy and requires minimal fuss.

Once you arrive at Bariloche Airport, rent a car!

It will cost ~$20-30 USD per day (it’s non-negotiable). It’s minimal fuss. I usually walk to the rental car desks at the airport and ask all of them for the best price. Easy!

This is essential to make the most of the small city (Bariloche = ~100,000 population) with many great Andean towns nearby and hiking options.

Accommodation:

To find the best deal for accommodation, search through Airbnb or Booking.com.

A 3-star hotel you can find for ~$50 USD per night, or a decent Airbnb is ~$70. I stay at an Airbnb here.

So many options.

What to do?

German Footprint/Nazi Walking Tour:

Fucking incredible. I don’t want to give it all away, but make sure this is one of the first things you do in Bariloche. It sets the scene for the rest of your time there.

What makes this even more real and terrifying?

The bloke that runs it deadset Argentine dead ringer (lookalike) of Christoph Walts from the movie Inglorious Bastards.

Wish I had a photo.

The town was so Nazi in the 1930’a they even changed the name of a Refugio to the “Berghof”.

The walking tour leaves every evening from the main town square. It costs about $15 USD and it’s one of the best and most informative walking tours I’ve ever done.

Drive:

Make full use of the car.

Including the famous and arguably the most eye-pleasing road in Patagonia.

The route of the Seven Lakes.

Over 110 km (68 mi) of the route, you can see incredible natural & glacial lakes: Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico, and Lacar.

Stop off and go for a swim or rent a Kayak at these lakes. Swimming in these lakes is incredible.

Lago Esperjo was my favourite.

Visit towns close by:

Colonia Swiss:

It is a beautiful little town settled by Swiss pioneers if you’re there on a Sunday, there is an epic local market. It’s about 30-40 minutes from Bariloche. They have some epic parrilla setups.

It was settled in 1895 by a Swiss family, named Goye. The Goye family -originally from western Switzerland, had been living for 10 years in Chile.

Still, the same families are here today.

Weird little place but I liked it. Great quality meat here.

There are also some great close-by day hikes.

More about hiking later in this post.

Patagonia Brewery:

Probably the best location I’ve ever had a $5 USD pint of beer.

It’s about 30 minutes out of Bariloche, a stunning drive through what looks and feels like the European Alps.

Head down to their bar and skip the restaurant as it’s too busy and always booked out.

The bar is in the forest and overlooks a stunning lake.

Drink a shit load of Patagonia Amber Ales (favourite) hopefully, they’ve got a woodfire going.

The only problem here is there can be too many families with kids running around.

Restaurant:

I had one of the best steaks and overall experiences here at Alto el Fuego.

It’s located in the centre of Bariloche here.

Reasonably priced at $30 USD for a 500g bife de chorizo (NY strip) with french fries and a bottle of red wine (malbec).

You all know I’m very experienced on this topic after a year of nonstop steaks and boobs.

I don’t give out recommendations lightly.

The service is incredible and they have a wine cellar you can hang out in before your table is ready.

Trekking/Hiking:

Let’s face it, if you’re going to travel to Patagonia, even if you’re not into it too much you’ve still gotta go hiking!

It’s the most incredible nature I’ve come across. Breathing the fresh air probably adds years to your life too.

No affiliation, but if you are any level of hiker from beginner to advanced. Do yourself a favour and download the AllTrails app.

You will never need a guide anywhere in the world again with this app, it’s too good! Instead of spending money on local guides, this app does it all for you for $20 per year.

I HEAVILY relied on the app for a 4 day hike in the Peruvian Andes. It certainly prevented me from sending an emergency message due to the track disappearing several times in the middle of a 70 km hike at 4000m (13,000ft) altitude through snow-capped Andes.

Best day Hike in Bariloche in my opinion…

Refugio Frey.

It’s a decent day hike, all up about 20 km (12 mi) with a 1000m (0.6 mi) elevation gain.

Incredible views. With the end point being Refugio Frey. It was built in 1931 and there is a hostel and shop/bar where you can stay or continue walking, or cross-country ski in winter.

Costs: (per person)

These were my costs for my second much more perfected trip to Bariloche:

You can do this trip solo, with a mate, or take the Mrs.

Flights: Aerolineas Argentinas $250 USD total.

Airbnb: $70 USD per night or $210 USD total.

Car rental: $25 per day or $75 total.

Food and drinks: $150 USD total including top-end venues like Patagonia Brewery and Alto el Fuego Restaurant.

The total base cost of $685 USD for a minimal fuss, middle-end, 3-day holiday from Buenos Aires.

This is exactly why I love living in Buenos Aires, to have these incredible affordable options to take a complete break from city life.

Thanks for reading.

I hope I’m encouraging some of you to visit the Southern Cone of South America.

Especially now they’ve voted out the Socialists and are in a pivotal time in their turbulent political history.

I’m a weird unit but it’s exciting to see it all unfold in front of my eyes.

Especially as a capitalist Australian.

Cheers,

Jordan - Geologo Trader 🇦🇺

Refer a friend

Dinner is usually after 9 pm, and coffee shops are usually not open until 9 am.

For an Australian, you just need to delay everything by a few hours.

I’ve adjusted to this now. I prefer this over the Australian way of waking up at a silly hour to jump in the car, walk the bloody dog, and grab a $7 coffee from a 17-year-old working for $23 p/h, who with the help of Mum and Dad, probably isn’t far off heading to the bank to take out those golden handcuffs. 💀

I’m a firm believer in a routine for the sake of your mental health. As an avid traveler over the last two years, this is when I’m the most content. A solid routine with a cheeky holiday for a change of scenery every month or so (this is living in Latin America & that’s entirely possible).

With this lifestyle, I enjoy writing my unfiltered thoughts on this publication which I’ve had in my head for many years. I don’t work for any company or answer to anybody so I don’t mind who reads what I’m thinking.

It’s a liberating feeling, and I recommend that people try a similar setup at some point in their lives.

This is a short list I’ve perfected over my one year of living in Buenos Aires, and it’s basically my current weekly routine:

• Office: Cafe I work from (I’m there almost every day).

• Parrilla: (this ain’t no digital nomad steak, for an avid carnivore, this one sits close to the heart in my barrio).

• Gym: (gyms suck here, but after trying out many, I finally found the sweet spot with memberships).

• Bar: (an essential for an ex-Australian miner ⛏️).

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