GLOBAL - In a strategic move with significant implications for global resource markets, the Africa-focused Maser Group has signed a landmark agreement to develop Argentina's copper mining sector through multi-million dollar investments and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). The deal was solidified following a high-level meeting in Abu Dhabi between Maser Group's billionaire CEO, Prateek Suri, and Argentina's Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre, on Monday, November 24, 2025 (EAT).

The partnership will focus on copper exploration and extraction in Argentina's Mendoza province, a region noted for its rich geological potential along the Chilean border, one of the world's most productive copper belts. A key component of the agreement is the deployment of advanced AI and automation to modernize mining operations, a move that aligns with Argentina's goal of pairing natural resource development with technological advancement. In a significant vote of confidence, the Argentine government has also invited Mr. Suri to serve as a global trustee in a newly formed national mining trust, tasked with shaping the country's mining strategy and governance.

This development comes as Argentina, under President Javier Milei, aggressively courts foreign investment through incentive programs like the Regime for the Incentive of Large Investments (RIGI), which offers tax benefits and long-term stability guarantees to major projects. The nation holds an estimated 116 million metric tonnes of copper resources but has historically lagged behind its neighbour, Chile, in production and exports.

The Kenyan Context: An Opportunity for Reflection

For Kenya, the Maser-Argentina deal serves as a crucial case study. Prateek Suri, an Indian-born entrepreneur, built his fortune in Africa, with Maser Group starting in consumer electronics before expanding into infrastructure and mining across the continent through its investment arm, MDR Investments. The firm has backed major projects in Zambia, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Maser Group has previously identified Kenya as a high-potential market for its electronics division and has an established presence.

However, this major capital-intensive mining investment heading to South America, rather than an African nation like Kenya, raises pertinent questions about the continent's investment climate. While Kenya possesses known copper deposits, its mining sector remains largely untapped, contributing less than 1% to the nation's GDP. The country is a net importer of copper, making its industrial and construction sectors vulnerable to global price volatility. Analysts suggest that regulatory hurdles and a lack of a robust incentive framework, compared to Argentina's RIGI, may deter the large-scale investment needed for beneficiation—the processing of raw ore into higher-value products like copper cathodes and wires.

AI and Copper: The Twin Engines of Future Industry

The deal's dual focus on copper and AI underscores two of the most critical trends shaping the global economy. Copper is indispensable for the green energy transition, forming a vital component in electric vehicles, solar panels, and wind turbines. The International Energy Agency has warned of a potential 30% global supply shortfall by 2035, driving a worldwide race to secure stable and substantial sources.

Simultaneously, AI is revolutionizing the mining industry by enhancing efficiency, safety, and exploration. Across Africa, mining companies are increasingly adopting AI to conduct predictive maintenance on equipment, optimize resource allocation, and analyze vast geological datasets to pinpoint new deposits with greater speed and accuracy. The Maser-Argentina partnership's explicit goal to build AI-driven mining solutions tailored for South America signals a new frontier in resource extraction where technological prowess is as valuable as the mineral deposits themselves.

For Kenya to compete for such transformative investments, experts suggest a strategic re-evaluation of its mining policy is necessary. This could involve creating more competitive fiscal incentives, streamlining the approvals process, and actively promoting the integration of technology to de-risk projects and attract global capital. As Maser Group's South American venture demonstrates, the future of mining will be defined not just by what is extracted from the ground, but by the innovation used to do it. This presents a clear challenge and a significant opportunity for Kenya to reposition its own mineral wealth within the global value chain.