Mother of God: illegal mining endangers the sustainable activities of thousands of families

Illegal mining not only causes deforestation and mercury pollution; it also puts sustainable economic activities of thousands of families in Madre de Dios at risk, such as tourism, bio-businesses, and Brazil nuts, “directly affecting the development and security of the region.”.

The National Service of Natural Protected Areas of the State (Sernanp) – an agency attached to the Ministry of Environment – warned of this in an informational note on the interdiction actions against illegal mining deployed in the Madre de Dios region.

Regarding this, he specified that so far in 2026, the State has carried out 75 land and river interdiction operations against illegal mining in said Amazonian region, with significant results and advances in territorial control and in the fight against criminal organizations.

These actions included the destruction of 370 illegal mining camps, 16,000 gallons of diesel fuel, 211 placer mining rafts, 202 engines, 130 suction pumps, 150 rafts, 71 cargo barges, 170 motorcycles, 33 electric generators, and 40 “peque peque” engines. 

Also destroyed were 30 boats, 10 outboard motors, 95 hoppers, 24 motor pumps, and 40 chainsaws, as well as other equipment and supplies used in activities linked to illegal mining.

These actions are carried out within the framework of the ‘National Strategy for the Reduction and Interdiction of Illegal Mining in Peru by 2030’, approved by DS N.° 003-2025-IN.

The National Police, the Army of Peru, the Directorate General of Captaincies and Coast Guard (Dicapi), and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Environmental Matters work there in a coordinated manner, with the technical and logistical support of Sernanp and the High Commissioner for the Fight Against Illegal Mining.

Sernanp: logistical support

As part of the strategy, Sernanp provides permanent logistical support at the Otorongo, Azul, Malinoswki, and Yarinal surveillance and control posts (PVC), “where police officers, DICAPI personnel, and specialized park rangers work continuously.”. 

Currently, more than 70 park rangers and technical staff conduct monitoring and surveillance in 10 PVCs within the Tambopata National Reserve, generating real-time information on the progress of illicit activities and enabling rapid operational response capabilities.

In addition, the State reinforced intervention actions with satellite monitoring and drone overflights, tools that allow identifying new hotspots of mining invasion, anticipating displacements of illegal activities, and protecting vulnerable sectors of this natural protected area.

Operations have been carried out in key areas such as Correntada, Isla Cordova, Vilma Beach, Malinowski River, Philadelphia, Dorado Valley, La Cumbre, and Aguas Negras.

“The State's actions seek to permanently contain pressure on highly vulnerable ecosystems and reaffirm the commitment to the protection of the Amazon, biodiversity, and environmental security,” added the agency annexed to the Ministry of Environment.

Between 2024 and 2026, Sernanp provided logistical support for 256 interdiction actions carried out in coordination with the PNP, the Army, Dicapi, and the Specialized Prosecutor's Office for Environmental Matters, “consolidating an articulated response against illegal mining in Madre de Dios.”.