The activists scaled the gates of parliament and unfurled a banner reading: "Senators, don't shit in the water!" on the steps of the building.

Some of the protesters sat on plastic containers resembling toilets, with their pants around their ankles, a video shared by Greenpeace showed.

Ten people were arrested over the protest, which lasted just a few minutes, the head of President Javier Milei's parliamentary group, former security minister Patricia Bullrich, told reporters.

The activists were later released from custody, a Greenpeace spokesperson confirmed to AFP.

Greenpeace Argentina complained on X that its activists were arrested "for peacefully demanding" that a 2010 law on the protection of glaciers be left unchanged.

A TV cameraman was arrested during the protest.

The so-called "glaciers law" debated by the Senate on Thursday would make it easier to carry out mining activities in periglacial -- permanently frozen -- environments in the Andes mountains.

The bill gives greater latitude to provincial authorities to greenlight mining for metals such as copper, lithium and silver.

Environmentalists say the reform would weaken protections for crucial water sources.

The government of libertarian Milei has backed the bill as part of its drive to boost large-scale mining projects.

Late Thursday, the Senate gave preliminary approval to the legislation, with 40 votes in favor and 31 against.

It goes next to the lower house Chamber of Deputies.

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