MINEM expects to implement seven mining projects totaling more than US$4.365 billion in 2026

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) estimates that seven major mining projects will be launched in 2026, which together will attract investments exceeding US$4.365 billion and help boost domestic production of various minerals.

Thus stated the Vice Minister of Mines, Mayra Figueroa, who emphasized that these initiatives will be developed in the regions of Áncash, Arequipa, Pasco y Lake, consolidating the role of mining as one of the main engines of economic growth and investment attraction in the country.

Among the group of projects considered for this year is Replacement. San Rafael, tin operation located in Puno and operated by Minsur, which is already in the implementation stage.

However, the initiative that concentrates the largest volume of investment is Cerro Verde Optimization, in Arequipa. The project, currently in the detailed engineering phase, involves an investment of over US$2.1 billion and aims to strengthen the country's copper production capacity.

The portfolio also considers the start of execution of Colquijirca Replenishment, copper project located in Pasco; Huarón Expansion, focused on silver production in the same region; Corani, one of the most important silver projects in the country, in Lake; Ampliación Esperanza, focused on gold. Arequipa; y Huancapetí Expansion, zinc project located in Áncash.

During her participation in the business breakfast “Infrastructure and mining: keys to enabling investment and improving competitiveness in Peru,” organized by the National Society of Construction and Infrastructure (SNCI), the vice minister highlighted that the development of these projects will have a direct impact on job creation, infrastructure construction, and the economic dynamism of the regions where they are executed.

Figueroa maintained that responsible mining continues to play a fundamental role in transforming natural resources into development opportunities for the population. In this regard, he highlighted that mining investments help boost services, infrastructure, and complementary economic activities, in addition to contributing to production diversification and the strengthening of alliances between State, communities, and the private sector.

The official added that the Peru maintains favorable conditions to continue attracting mining investment and reaffirmed the country's position as one of the main destinations for the development of extractive projects in Latin America and the world.