• The initiative seeks to foster children's knowledge about mining practices in the country and promote interest in this productive activity.
• The contest is held annually and will accept entries in Spanish and Quechua.
• Primary and secondary school students can participate, with prizes ranging from laptops and tablets for students and teachers to cash prizes of S/3,000 to S/5,000 for educational institutions.

At a press conference held in Arequipa, the Organizing Committee of PERUMIN 37 announced the call for the third edition of the National School Mining Award, an initiative organized by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), with the support of the Professional School of Mining Engineering of the Catholic University of Santa María de Arequipa (UCSM).

Through this annual award, the aim is to promote knowledge among children and young people about mining practices in the country, to stimulate interest in this productive activity, and also to encourage research and creativity among students, especially those in Arequipa, a region that has seen significant participation since the first edition of the award in 2022. This was emphasized by Jimena Sologuren, president of PERUMIN 37.

“We reiterate our commitment to promoting a deeper understanding of our industry among the country's younger and more promising generations. That is why we want to continue to promote knowledge, research and interest in mining among students and create opportunities for them to showcase their talents through art, creativity and innovation," said Sologuren

The president of the National School Mining Award, Tomás Gonzales, invited schools in Arequipa to participate in this initiative, which will allow the participation of primary and secondary students from public and private institutions. He also highlighted the organization's efforts to promote inclusiveness, as entries can be submitted in Quechua or Spanish.

Participation will be divided into four categories: 1st-3rd grade elementary students in storytelling; 4th-6th grade elementary students in drama; 1st-3rd grade secondary students in model making; and 4th-5th grade secondary students in social and environmental responsibility in action. Entries will be accepted until September 20, and the contest rules, which include prizes ranging from S/3,000 to S/5,000 for educational institutions, are available on the IIMP website. (see) 

The session also included the participation of the IIMP’s General Manager, Carlos Diez Canseco; the UCSM’s Vice Rector, Jorge Luis Cáceres; the Mayor of Arequipa, Victor Hugo Rivera; the Director of UGEL Arequipa South, Marco Salazar; and the Director of UGEL Arequipa North, Roberto Carlos Marín, who highlighted the joint efforts of the institutions to promote education, which they described as a fundamental pillar for Peru's development.