LIMA, Nov 25 - Thousands of small-scale miners in Peru have initiated protests by blocking roads and camping outside Congress, demanding an extension of a program that temporarily permits their operations. This program, however, has been criticized by authorities for contributing to illegal mining.
A government bill submitted to Congress last week proposes a six-month extension for miners to formalize their activities before the current program expires on December 31. Miners are advocating for a two-year extension and a new law to facilitate their formalization process.
Since last week, hundreds of miners have set up tents near Congress, with thousands blocking the main coastal highway in the southern regions of Ica and Arequipa. This has resulted in significant traffic congestion, with vehicles stranded for up to five kilometers.
The REINFO program, which began in 2012, provides temporary permits while miners await formalization. Currently, it has 85,000 registered artisanal miners, of which only about 20% have achieved formal status. Authorities and private mining companies have reported that many miners exploit this temporary status to operate in restricted areas without adhering to labor or environmental regulations.
Peru's gold production reached 99.7 million grams in 2023, marking a 2.8% increase from the previous year. Small artisanal mines are estimated to account for approximately 40% of this output, although mining groups claim the figure is closer to 50%.
Protesters express frustration over the government's lack of attention, with one miner stating, "We are here sleeping in the open air and the government is not paying attention to us." The situation has been described as potentially volatile, with analysts warning of escalating tensions between Congress and the protesting miners.