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CAMYEN applied a 30% discount on the price of rough mineral for artisans with verified residence in Andalgalá.
By Panorama Minero
Catamarca mining company CAMYEN offered a 30% discount on the prevailing price of rough mineral to artisans with verified residence in Andalgalá Department. According to the company, the measure complemented the programmes it has maintained “on a regular basis” to facilitate access to rhodochrosite and add value to local production.
The measure followed a specific request from artisans in the area. This demand is not new: since 2024, artisans, the Municipality of Andalgalá and CAMYEN have been working on a differentiated pricing scheme for the raw material.
The state-owned company's board of directors highlighted the measure, stating: “Behind every piece are the hands of people from Catamarca who transform the mineral into art and identity. For this reason, the company is consolidating a working arrangement that currently benefits artisans throughout the province.”
Contract Manufacturing and the Rosa del Inca Brand
CAMYEN also reported that it had engaged gemstone cutters, jewellers, weavers and artists from across the province under a contract manufacturing arrangement (contrato a fasón).
Under this scheme, the company supplied artisans with the mineral raw material and commissioned them to produce exclusive pieces, which it subsequently markets under the official Rosa del Inca brand.
According to the company, the pieces are distributed through outlets at the CATA Museum (former Government House), located at Sarmiento 613, and at the company's headquarters.
They are also sold through online channels and catalogues featuring jewellery and handicrafts, many of them luxury items, which the company has marketed as institutional gifts throughout Argentina.
According to CAMYEN, this arrangement has helped address one of the most complex stages of the value chain: commercialisation.
The company stated that enquiries about the requirements for accessing the discount and the conditions of the contract manufacturing arrangement, which operates throughout the year, can be made through its Sales Department at Vicario Segura 784, San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, or by email at ventas@camyen.com.ar.
Training and Proposed Legislation
In addition to its agreement with artisans, CAMYEN highlighted that it regularly provides training in gemstone cutting, business management and marketing to improve production practices, design and the administration of local workshops.
The company also recalled that, together with national legislators, it had promoted a bill to declare rhodochrosite Argentina's National Stone.
According to CAMYEN, the initiative would also designate Andalgalá as the National Capital of Rhodochrosite and seeks to enhance recognition of the region's historical heritage.
The bill was introduced by national deputies Silvana Ginocchio, Dante López Rodríguez, Fernanda Ávila and Sebastián Nóblega. It is based on the stone's historical significance, beauty, cultural value and associated productive activity.
According to the text, rhodochrosite symbolises love, reconciliation and peace for Andean peoples, in accordance with a traditional legend.
The initiative has precedents in the Argentine Congress. In 2015, the Senate gave preliminary approval to a bill declaring rhodochrosite the National Stone, introduced by Catamarca senators Blanca Monllau and Oscar Castillo.
The bill was subsequently referred to the Chamber of Deputies but made no further progress.