While the Congress of the Republic still has not made a decision on the validity of the Comprehensive Registry of Mining Formalization (Reinfo), the Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep) ruled on the possibility of finally approving the expansion of this mechanism that some legislators have proposed extending until December 2027 and even indefinitely.
“The National Confederation of Private Business Institutions expresses its deep concern regarding the debate in the Energy and Mines Commission of Congress on the opinion that proposes extending the validity of the Reinfo for two years and, above all, reincorporating thousands of previously excluded informal miners,” the institution said in a statement.
He added that the successive extensions of the Reinfo have not contributed in any way to a “true formalization” and warned that extending this measure again would entail a “high risk for citizens, business activity and the security of the country.”
“Violence associated with criminal organizations involved in illegal mining such as human trafficking, money laundering and massive deforestation would increase,” he indicated, and warned that this situation “exposes thousands of workers to precarious working conditions, without access to fundamental rights such as social security and protection against occupational risks and standards, deepening their vulnerability and limiting their opportunities for progress.”
“The successive extensions of Reinfo have not contributed to true formalization. On the contrary, they have been used by operators linked to illegal mining as an instrument to continue activities that generate serious social, environmental and economic impacts,” says Confiep.
On the other hand, he pointed out that the proposal for a new extension of the Reinfo “contravenes the international commitments assumed by Peru within the framework of the Andean Policy to Fight Illegal Mining promoted by the Andean Community (CAN).”
“Failure to comply with these obligations could lead to sanctions and trade restrictions that would seriously affect the export basket of the industry and MSEs,” he noted, and reiterated his request that a “true mining formalization” be implemented based on “clear rules, definitive deadlines, traceability, effective supervision and coordination between the State, the communities and the private sector.”
“We urge the Congress of the Republic to act responsibly, prioritizing the national interest, respect for the legal framework and the protection of citizens. Peru cannot go back in the fight against illegal mining. It is time to strengthen the institutions and ensure that economic growth advances hand in hand with legality, security and the preservation of the environment,” the document concludes.
Receive your Perú21 by email or WhatsApp. Subscribe to our enriched digital newspaper. Take advantage of the discounts here.
