• Reflecting on PERUMIN 36, the executive director of the SNMPE considered these issues as priorities for the development of mining in the country.

Angela Grossheim, executive director of the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy (SNMPE), provided an overview of the topics discussed at the PERUMIN 36 Mining Convention and identified discussions on bureaucracy, formal employment, illegal mining, and political instability as priorities for the Peruvian mining industry.

According to Grossheim, these challenges must be addressed comprehensively with the participation of all stakeholders, including companies, investors, the government, and civil society.

In a conversation with DFSUD, she explained that the SNMPE is working on various fronts. "With regard to permitting, we are first raising awareness so that the issue is understood; we have a series of proposals for improvement," said the executive.

Currently, in order to carry out a mining project in Peru, about 240 procedures involving 29 entities must be completed, resulting in a process that "takes five times longer".

"This makes us think about how to reduce the standards; we can be much more efficient, effective and successful in obtaining permits and managing these documents," she added.

Regarding illegal activity, the president of the International Meeting of PERUMIN 36 pointed out that "it is important to work with the illegal sector so that they develop in an appropriate way, respecting the existing regulations.”

She also mentioned that her institution has contributed studies on the formalization of mining, "because we are really concerned about the significant growth of illegal activity in the country, which has led to violence and violations of human, environmental, and health rights.”

Regarding the political environment, she urged the authorities to work to provide certainty for investors. "Peru has proven over many years that it honors its commitments, and that helps us immensely. Moreover, investors do not perceive Peru negatively; I believe our self-perception is much more pessimistic than how others see us," she said.

Addressing these issues will help overcome the complex scenario facing the mining industry this year. While investments in 2022 were just over US$200 million, the amount is expected to drop by 20% this year. But Grossheim remains optimistic about the future.

"I think there are a lot of opportunities to move projects forward and add value. I also think that the economic situation makes us think with a sense of urgency about the need to work on permits for mining activities," she pointed out.