Peru Extends "One-Time" Temporary Licenses for Informal Mining Until Year-End

On June 23 (Monday), Jorge Montero, Peru's Minister of Energy and Mines, stated that the government would extend the controversial temporary permits for informal mining "in one go" until the end of the year, aiming to complete the formalization process for small-scale producers.

According to congressional regulations, the validity of the temporary permits, known as REINFO, had been extended multiple times and were originally set to expire at the end of June, but the government could extend them by six months with prior authorization.

In an interview with Peru's national television station, Montero said, "Our goal is to assist as many small-scale and artisanal mining enterprises as possible that have clearly expressed their desire to formalize their mining activities and participate in them to complete the formalization process."

However, according to police and industry insiders, thousands of REINFO permits were being used by illegal miners.