Peru faces expanding illegal mining corridors and environmental damage

Illegal mining in Peru is expanding geographically, establishing new corridors for the extraction, processing, and sale of minerals. Beyond gold, the illicit activity now includes copper, zinc, silver, tin, and coal. While traditionally concentrated in regions like Madre de Dios, Puno, and La Libertad, new hotspots have emerged in Cusco, Apurímac, Cajamarca, Piura, Loreto, Huánuco, and Amazonas.

In Cajamarca, regional authorities have criticized the effectiveness of emergency declarations intended to curb the activity, noting that current measures have not met expectations. Despite these challenges, regional energy and mining officials continue to coordinate with the National Police of Peru to strengthen enforcement.

To combat the environmental impact, the Peruvian Air Force (FAP) is utilizing satellite technology and geospatial analysis via the PerúSAT-1 satellite. This surveillance has been instrumental in identifying clandestine operations in the Tambopata National Reserve. Recent interventions supported by satellite data resulted in the destruction of 236 dredges, 118 washing channels, and 242 operational installations, as well as five clandestine camps. These activities have contributed to the degradation of over 4,000 hectares of Amazonian forest.