South America mining reforms and crackdown expands

Timeline

1. 1 day ago

   [CRIME] 4 sources

   Peru targets illegal mining networks fueling human trafficking in Madre de Dios and Puno

   Peru is cracking down on illegal mining groups in Madre de Dios that support human‑trafficking networks, while poverty in Puno drives youth into similar trafficking rings, prompting investigations and calls for

2. 2 days ago

   [CRIME] 7 sources

   Ecuador Navy dismantles nine illegal mining camps in border province of Esmeraldas

   Ecuador's navy destroyed nine illegal gold‑mining camps in Esmeraldas on July 25, disabling machinery, seizing weapons and reinforcing a crackdown sparked by a deadly 2025 ambush.

3. 5 days ago

   [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources

   Andean Court hears unprecedented case against Peru over illegal mining

   The Andean Court of Justice has taken up an unprecedented case against Peru, alleging its REINFO mining formalisation extensions violate regional duties to curb illegal gold mining in the Amazon.

4. 7 days ago

   [BUSINESS] 9 sources

   Latin America tightens mining regulations amid environmental and indigenous concerns

   Mexico bans new mining permits in protected areas; Mendoza revises Indigenous consultation rules; Colombia sets mine‑closure standards; Peru streamlines exploration impact assessments.

5. 13 days ago

   [CRIME] 2 sources

   Peruvian police detain 19, seize machinery in Cusco illegal mining crackdown

   Peruvian police operations in Cusco province detained 19 people and seized heavy machinery, explosives and tools in a crackdown on illegal gold mining.

6. 13 days ago

   [CRIME] 5 sources

   Illegal gold mining threatens ecosystems and communities in Peru and Ecuador

   Illegal gold mining is spreading in Peru and Ecuador, harming copper production, protected ecosystems and water sources, while fueling organized crime and social conflict.

7. 13 days ago

   [CRIME] 5 sources

   Bolivia’s AJAM reports illegal gold mining and armed attacks on inspectors

   Bolivia’s AJAM uncovered illegal gold mining in Corazón Valiente and reported two armed ambushes on its inspection teams in La Paz, prompting a security‑focused response.

8. 16 days ago

   [CRIME] 4 sources

   Latin America intensifies crackdowns on illegal mining and aggregate extraction

   Dominican and Peruvian authorities expanded operations to stop illegal sand extraction and gold mining, seizing assets, destroying equipment and detaining suspects.

9. 16 days ago

   [CRIME] 2 sources

   Bolivian Navy cracks illegal gold mines in Madidi and ramps up Lake Titicaca anti‑contraband patrols

   Bolivian Navy destroyed five illegal gold‑mining camps in Madidi and conducted a Lake Titicaca patrol to deter contraband shipments to Peru, reporting no illegal cargo found.

10. 19 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources

    Three Family Miners Killed by Toxic Gas in Potosí Mine, Bolivia

    Three miners from the same family died from carbon monoxide inhalation while cleaning a shaft at a Turqui cooperative mine in Potosí, Bolivia; investigations are underway.

11. 21 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources

    Peru and Bolivia advance new mining laws to curb illegal activity and boost resource sharing

    Peru and Bolivia each propose new mining legislation: Peru seeks stricter enforcement against illegal mining, while Bolivia aims to redistribute mining wealth to local communities.

12. 24 days ago

    [CRIME] 3 sources

    Ecuador arrests seven suspects after Arcom mining agency attack in Machala

    Ecuador’s security forces arrested seven people, including a Venezuelan, after an attack on Arcom’s mining regulator in Machala, seizing firearms, explosives and drugs.

13. 25 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 2 sources

    Peru launches Digital Mining Passport to improve mineral traceability

    Peru's new Digital Mining Passport uses geolocation and digital records to trace minerals, aiming to curb illegal mining and improve sector transparency.

14. 25 days ago

    [HEALTH] 2 sources

    Potosí mining deaths prompt joint action plan

    78 mining deaths in Bolivia's Potosí department led prosecutor Roger Mariaca to launch a joint action plan with government, police and mining firms to curb fatal accidents.

15. 28 days ago

    [CRIME] 4 sources

    Peru and Colombia seize illegal gold‑mining equipment in joint crackdowns

    Peru and Colombia jointly seized and destroyed illegal gold‑mining equipment, targeting criminal financing and environmental harm.

16. 29 days ago

    [TECHNOLOGY] 14 sources

    Ecuador faces nationwide power cuts after Paute Molino substation explosion

    A blast at Paute Molino substation shut down a major hydro‑electric plant, prompting programmed blackouts in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca and other areas on 30 June 2026.

17. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Ecuador police destroy illegal mining equipment in Zamora Chinchipe

    Ecuadorian police raided a remote illegal mining site in Zamora Chinchipe, destroying equipment and a 15‑person camp, with losses estimated at $224 k.

18. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Peru and Bolivia crackdown on illegal mining, seize assets worth billions

    Bolivia seized illegal mining machinery in Oruro's protected area, while Peru's crackdown across 24 regions confiscated assets worth over S/ 1.2 billion, mainly in Madre de Dios.

19. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Panama and Bolivia crack down on illegal mining, sentencing and seizure

    Panama sentenced four people to 48 months for illegal mining in Herrera, while Bolivia seized 2.05 tonnes of illicit minerals and arrested five in Huanuni.

20. about 1 month ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources

    Peru advances MAPA law to support small artisanal gold miners

    Peru's MAPA law proposes a register for artisanal gold miners, setting 5‑10% royalties and a social fund to combat trafficking and aid technology transition.

21. about 1 month ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Machala, Ecuador: Arcom headquarters bombed amid illegal mining crackdown

    A bomb exploded at Arcom’s headquarters in Machala, Ecuador, causing damage but no injuries; officials linked the attack to recent anti‑illegal‑mining operations.

22. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Criminal networks merge illegal mining and drug trade in Peru's Amazon

    Report finds narcotrafficking, illegal mining and land trafficking now form a unified criminal network in Peru's Amazon, financed by drug money, with involvement from transnational groups and weakened state aid

23. about 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Ecuadorian Army Destroys Illegal Mining Camp in Carchi Province

    Ecuador's army dismantled an illegal mining camp in Carchi, destroying equipment and seizing gold ore worth about $32,500, aiming to curb organized crime.

24. about 2 months ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources

    Peru cracks down on illegal gold mining and launches $264 million World Bank reform for mining sector

    Peru’s police destroyed illegal gold‑mining camps in Madre de Dios, seizing S/64.5 million in assets, while the government and the World Bank launched a $264 million plan to digitise permits and modernise the‑‑

25. about 2 months ago

    [INTERNATIONAL] 5 sources

    Peru and Ecuador ramp up crackdown on illegal mining

    Peru proposes sweeping measures and a mining park to formalise thousands of artisanal miners, police seize explosives, while Ecuador’s military razes 21 illegal mining camps.

26. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Peru seizes over $3 million in illegal mining gear in Madre de Dios

    Peruvian police and army seized over $3 million in equipment used for illegal gold mining in Madre de Dios, aiming to curb Amazon deforestation and related crimes.

27. 2 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Illegal mining spreads across Peru's protected areas, hitting Cotahuasi Reserve

    Illegal mining is destroying at least eight of Peru's protected areas, including the Cotahuasi Reserve, amid rising gold prices and weakened environmental oversight.

28. 3 months ago

    [CRIME] 2 sources

    Illegal Gold Mining Destroys Over 500 Hectares in Peru's Tambopata Reserve

    Illegal gold mining has cleared over 500 ha of forest in Peru's Tambopata Reserve, sparking environmental damage and rising crime.