Peru - a mining leader

Over the weekend, Peruvian daily El Peruano published an editorial lauding the Peruvian government for its commitment to the country’s mining industry and in its leadership and progressive policies regarding the industry’s governance. The article argues that mining profits are key to growing the Peruvian economy, and praises Peruvian president Ollanta Humala for having made the mining industry the centerpiece of his economic policy. El Peruano believes that the central government has an important role to play as a facilitator between private investors, local communities, and the state.

The editorial goes on to praise the Peruvian government’s establishment of quality controls to ensure that the Peruvian mining sector remain competitive internationally but also protect the country’s environment. In addition, Peru’s social licensing program builds a conversation and a bridge between mining companies and the local communities that are affected by the mining projects. El Peruano points to the examples of Tigre, Corrientes, Pastaza, Marañón, Satipo, and La Convención as areas where the social licensing process has gone well.

In other mining-related news, Peruvian business journal Gestion reported that the Federation of Candian Municipalities will start working with its regional governmental counterparts in Peru to improve their ability to manage the impacts and benefits of mining projects. The article quoted Canadian officials who were excited about the opportunity for Canada to share its lessons learned regarding mining governance with Peru. Interestingly, though, the article did not quote a single Peruvian official. Ultimately, the success of the program will rely on the Peruvian regional governments’ receptiveness to the messages they are given.

MSN reported on the Peruvian government’s crackdown on illegal mining in the country’s Madre de Dios region. According to Marco Ortega, the mayor of the town of Huepetuhe in the Madre de Dios region, more than 22,000 people have left the area since the government began its crackdown.