Certainly, the readers of this publication have references related to mining in Peru, they know, directly or through texts or commentaries, about the important geology and the resources that are found in its subsoil, mainly in the Andes; also, about the legislation that, with some exceptions, promotes and encourages investment in mining, both national and foreign.

In order to complement the information on mining activities in Peru, I will now present a list of the government authorities that grant the main permits for mining in Peru, as well as the institutions in charge of supervision and control:

Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM by its acronym in Spanish): is the mining regulatory body, which formulates and assesses national policies for the sustainable development of mining activities; it is also responsible for environmental regulation of mining activities.

MINEM’s General Directorate of Mining:Grants Benefit Concessions (allows beneficiation and refining) and Mining Transport Concessions (allows the massive and continuous transportation of minerals through non-conventional means). It also grants permits for the initiation of exploration and exploitation activities, necessary to be able to operate, is within the emission of these authorizations that the process of prior consultation is carried out, when applicable.

Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (INGEMMET by its acronym in Spanish): grants mining concessions (for exploration and exploitation), maintains the National Mining Cadastre, where all concessions, requests (concessions in process), restricted areas for mining activities, urban areas and urban expansion, among other relevant information, are graphed; it also develops the geological map, with information on stratigraphy, igneous rocks and structural geology, among others.

National Service of Environmental Certification (SENACE by its acronym in Spanish): approves the detailed Environmental Impact Studies for the realization of mining activities of exploitation, benefit and mining transportation.

MINEM’s General Directorate of Mining Environmental Affairs: approves the Environmental Management Instruments (Environmental Data Sheet, Environmental Impact Statements, semi-detailed Environmental Impact Study) for exploration work and Mine Closure Planning.

Supervisory Agency of Investment in Energy and Mining (OSINERGMIN by its acronym in Spanish): supervises, controls and sanctions the noncompliance of the regulations related to the security of the infrastructure for mining activities.

Environmental Assessment and Control Agency (OEFA by its acronym in Spanish): promotes the enforcement of environmental regulations, for which it assesses, supervises, controls and sanctions their noncompliance, including the compliance to the obligations established in its environmental management instruments and social commitments.

National Superintendency of Labor Inspection (SUNAFIL by its acronym in Spanish): in charge of promoting, supervising, controlling and sanctioning compliance with laws and regulations related to occupational safety and health, and prevention of labor risks in mining activities.

The above-mentioned bodies are competent with respect to the activities of medium and large mining companies (plants of 350 TM/D and above), while for activities that qualify as small and artisanal mining, the Regional Governments where the mining units are located are competent.

Article publised in Chambers and Partners