BHP's return to Argentina marks new hope for untapped copper mines

A new incentive regime for mining in Argentina is attracting major players such as BHP, who are starting to eye the South American country as the world's next frontier for copper, more than half a dozen mining industry officials told Reuters.

BHP's investment last month marked the company's first foray into mining in Argentina in two decades. It teamed up with Canada's Lundin Mining in the $3.25-billion buyout of Filo, with the aim of developing two copper mines along the Andes mountains bordering Chile.