The good international price of metals has made illegal miners not only have their eyes in gold, but also in the copper. The Executive Director of the National Mining, Petroleum and Energy Society (SNMPE), Angela Grossheim, said that this illegal activity is mainly observed around the southern mining corridor (Cusco, Apurímac and Arequipa crosses).
“We understand that there are illegal miners around the bambas and the southern corridor as is the case of Apurímac. This type of mining is no longer a subsistence activity, but of large amounts of investment,” he added in dialogue with Peru21.
This situation generates an environmental, social affectation (illegal mining is linked to people’s trafficking), and economic, since Peru stops raising more income as consequences of these illicit acts.
In addition, it means a lower formal production of copper. It should be noted that between January and November last year, the production of this metal reached 2,472,307 of TMF, which meant a 1.1% drop if compared to the same period last year. The Congo, on the other hand, produced 3.3 million TMF, that is, it occupies second place after Chile.
The SNMPE representative considered that Peru can reverse the figures and occupy the second place of production again, and even aspire to replace the southern neighborhood.
“We are at an important time to work on the strengths we have. We have explorations, we must encourage the entry of new investments to ensure the sustainability of cupriferous mining. On the other hand, in illegal mining, you have to work on traceability for traceability for that is known where the metal happens.
And why the importance of formal mining? Between January and November 2024, transfers in this sector added S/8,024 million, of which, alone S/5,579 million were for Mining Canon. Meanwhile, the collection amounted to S/16,737 million in that same period.
Wallet
In Peru, as of March 2024, there was a mining portfolio with 51 projects for US $ 54,556 million. Of that total, 31 projects for US $ 39,795 million have copper as the main mineral to be extracted, according to data from the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem).
Among the projects that stand out are Antamina replacement for US $ 1,604 million, and through which the mine will expand its capacity of 170,000 to 208,000 fine metric tons (TMF) per day.
The Toromocho – Phase II Expansion Project is also, whose production would go from 140,640 to 170,000 TMF. The list also includes El Galen (US $ 3,500 million), Aunt María (US $ 1.4 billion), Los Chancas (US $ 2.5 billion) and Michiquillay (US $ 2.5 billion).
Invasion in Conga
Peru21 knew that Conga (Gold), which has been paralyzed since 2011, would also be a victim of illegal miners. As it was learned, criminals enter the project without the authorities taking actions in this regard.
This is a project whose investment amounts to almost US $ 5,000 million, however, it paralyzed its activities to social conflicts that the State did not resolve. This situation generated a large impact on Cajamarca, a region that went to lead the first places of poverty in the country.
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