During his participation in the first "Rumbo a PERUMIN" of the year, Tong emphasized that Peru has a competitive legal framework for granting mining rights, which provides certainty to investors.

Speaking at the first edition of Rumbo a PERUMIN of the year, part of the Mining Thursday event organized by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), Francisco Tong, partner at Rodrigo, Elías & Medrano Abogados, stressed that early State action and a clear sustainable mining development policy, along with strong institutions, are fundamental to reducing informality and illegality in mining.

“When a company arrives in an area with plans to develop a mining project, the early presence of the State and a clear policy are essential not only to combat informality and illegality but also to ensure a solid regulatory framework without relaxing obligations and to reduce social conflict. Mining is an activity that can create risks if it is not managed responsibly,” said Tong.

Tong emphasized that the country needs a regulatory framework that aligns with the reality of small-scale and artisanal mining, without imposing disproportionate requirements that could fuel the black market.

“If we set the regulatory bar too high, we create informality. It is necessary to adjust regulations in a comprehensive way so that small-scale mining can grow and eventually become medium or large-scale mining. But this must be accompanied by effective enforcement; otherwise, it opens the door to illegal activities,” he said.

Tong also highlighted that Peru has a competitive framework for granting mining rights, with clear and objective procedures that provide certainty to investors.

"The Peruvian framework allows investors to have confidence that their concession will not be questioned or unnecessarily delayed. This is key to maintaining the country's competitiveness in the mining sector," he said.

Regarding the fight against illegal mining, Tong stressed that the key is to strengthen State institutions.

“We need a State with a solid and clear policy that is shared by all the institutions involved in the development of a mining project. Currently, more than 30 entities have roles in this process, so it is essential that they work together to combat illegality and promote formal, sustainable mining,” he concluded.