Peru favoring formal over informal mining

American researchers in Peru have determined that the environmental and health impact of illegal, small-scale gold mining in Peru is much greater than people originally thought. According to a recent study, mercury from these illegal gold mining operations is found at dangerous levels not just in the immediate local environment, but also at least 350 miles downstream. The study by these American researchers provides concrete evidence supporting the comprehensive and at times extreme actions taken by the Peruvian government to crack down on illegal gold mining. Some critics have accused the Peruvian government of just favoring large-scale mining projects over small-scale projects, but this research shows that the health concerns are even greater than was originally feared. For a recent chronology of the Peruvian government’s campaign against illegal gold mining, read this report released by El Librepensador.

In an unrelated report, the Peruvian Organism for Environmental Evaluation and Auditing (OEFA) approved and released its 2015 plan for what auditing and remediation activities it will undertake. The vast majority of its audits will focus on the mining and hydrocarbon sectors. At the same time, the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mining issued a new set of regulations to simplify the procedures that mining companies need to go through to gain construction and operating permits for mining activities. The government instituted these procedural reforms in an attempt to stimulate investment in mining projects.