Chile, Peru and Colombia move forward with small‑scale mining reforms

In Chile, the Chamber of Deputies approved the government’s first mining bill under President José Antonio Kast, simplifying the patent system for small and medium miners by eliminating the progressive increase and the 500‑hectare and corporate‑type requirements. The proposal now proceeds to the Senate’s Mining and Energy Committee for a second constitutional debate.

Peru’s mining sector supplied 74% of the nation’s export value between January and May, generating over US$33 billion. Officials warned that the rise of illegal mining erodes institutional strength and called for a clear, time‑bound formalisation policy, criticizing the ongoing extensions of the temporary Reinfo mechanism.

Colombia released a draft decree that would update the Bank of Areas for Mining Formalisation, seeking a more detailed operational manual. Critics note that some key evaluation criteria are still undefined, which could perpetuate legal uncertainty for traditional and small‑scale miners.