Peruvian Artisanal Miners Demand Extension of Temporary Mining Program
Thousands of small-scale miners in Peru are protesting for an extension of the REINFO program, which allows them to operate temporarily while awaiting formalization.
Demonstrations include road blockages and a campsite outside Congress, as miners push back against the government’s proposed six-month extension after the program expires on December 31.
Led by the National Confederation of Small and Artisanal Mining (Confemin), miners argue that the limited extension is insufficient for formalization and demand a two-year extension along with new legislation to support their efforts.
Protesters have blocked highways in southern regions like Ica and Arequipa, causing traffic jams stretching five kilometers and leaving freight and passenger vehicles stranded.
The REINFO program, initiated in 2012, currently registers 85,000 artisanal miners, of whom only 20% have been formalized. While the program provides temporary permits, authorities claim it has facilitated illegal mining in restricted areas, with attacks on formal mining operations resulting in over 30 deaths in the past two years.
Artisanal miners account for an estimated 40% to 50% of Peru’s gold production, which totaled 99.7 million grams in 2023, marking a 2.8% increase from the previous year.
Many protesters, like Nelson Calderón from Ayacucho, highlight their desperation. “We are here sleeping in the open air, and the government ignores us. Where will we go when REINFO ends?” he asked.
Analysts warn that tensions between Congress and artisanal miners could intensify, with significant social and economic implications.
SOURCE:mining.com
