Peru Acknowledges Large-Scale Informal Copper Mining, Warns of Price-Driven Increase

Published: Jun 4, 2025 19:43

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According to SMM, the Peruvian government has acknowledged for the first time the existence of large-scale informal copper ore mining, and warned that high prices could lead to an increase in such activities in the near future. Energy and Mines Minister Jorge Montero told foreign media in Lima on Tuesday that the government remains vigilant about large-scale informal copper ore mining, particularly in the area where the mining rights belong to the Las Bambas copper mine operated by China's Minmetals Resources. "This is the largest informal copper ore mining activity we have discovered so far," Montero said. "It is worth noting that we already have large-scale copper ore mining operations in that area.

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