# South America mining reforms and crackdown expands > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-gold-mining-expands-damage-across-perus-protected-reserves > Updated: 2026-09-09T09:06:39.000Z. Sources: 86. Developments: 31. Since May 2026, satellite monitoring has documented more than 500 ha of forest loss in Peru’s Tambopata Reserve, where a resurgence of illegal gold‑mining camps has been reported. Parallel raids in Madre de Dios seized equipment worth over US$3 million and disrupted networks that finance drug trafficking and human‑trafficking. Peru and Ecuador presented joint proposals to close the REINFO registry, impose criminal liability on miners in prohibited zones and ban mercury by 2030, while the Arequipa region launched a pilot formalisation park for artisanal miners. In early June, Peru and the World Bank announced a US$264 million five‑year reform to digitise permits and support small‑scale miners. Ecuador’s armed forces destroyed illegal camps in Carchi and Zamora Chinchipe, seizing excavators, classifiers and fuel stores. A June report linked illegal mining in the Amazon to transnational drug cartels, and a bombing of Ecuador’s mining regulator office underscored the retaliation faced by authorities. July saw the introduction of Peru’s Digital Mining Passport to trace mineral custody, the passage of the MAPA law to formalise artisanal gold mining, and a joint Peru‑Bolivia operation that seized assets exceeding S/ 1.2 billion. Bolivia’s AJAM reported armed attacks on inspectors, while the Andean Court admitted a landmark lawsuit accusing Peru’s REINFO extensions of breaching regional obligations. Ecuador escalated its response, reclassifying illegal mining as a national‑security threat and planning a military crackdown that has already neutralised thousands of illegal sites. Late July, Ecuador’s navy dismantled nine illegal gold‑mining camps in Esmeraldas; Peru linked mining in Madre de Dios and Puno to human‑trafficking. In August, Ecuador formalized its stance by reclassifying illegal mining as a national security threat, authorizing the armed forces to use artillery to prevent the reopening of illegal sites. This crackdown has reportedly caused organized crime groups economic losses exceeding $4.391 billion since January. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Illegal mining in Pataz fuels organized crime in Peru Illegal mining in Peru, particularly in Pataz, is fueling organized crime and territorial control, with illicit gold sales projected to exceed US$10 billion by 2025. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/illegal-mining-in-pataz-fuels-organized-crime-in-peru ### 2026-08-31: OEFA strengthens environmental oversight and combats illegal mining in Peru OEFA is strengthening environmental oversight in Peru through regional training in Cajamarca and a partnership with the UNODC to combat illegal mining and improve environmental damage assessment. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/oefa-strengthens-environmental-oversight-and-combats-illegal-mining-in-peru ### 2026-08-17: Peru faces urgent need for national strategy against illegal mining Experts urge Peru to implement a national strategy against illegal mining, which generates US$ 12 billion annually, by improving oversight, controlling gold sales, and simplifying formalization processes. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-faces-urgent-need-for-national-strategy-against-illegal-mining ### 2026-08-14: Peru launches military operation against illegal gold mining in Amazon Peru has launched a military operation in the Madre de Dios region to destroy illegal gold mining camps encroaching on protected areas of the Amazon rainforest. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-launches-military-operation-against-illegal-gold-mining-in-amazon ### 2026-08-13: Peru intensifies mining controls and implements El Niño water safeguards Peru is intensifying efforts to combat illegal mining in the Tambopata National Reserve while Sedapal conducts preventive river cleaning in Lima to prepare for El Niño without interrupting water services. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-intensifies-mining-controls-and-implements-el-nio-water-safeguards ### 2026-08-04: Ecuador declares illegal mining a national security threat and plans military crackdown Ecuador labels illegal mining a national security threat, enabling a military crackdown that has hit over 1,000 camps, seized gold, and targeted organized‑crime links. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-declares-illegal-mining-a-national-security-threat-and-plans-military-crackdown ### 2026-07-26: 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 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-targets-illegal-mining-networks-fueling-human-trafficking-in-madre-de-dios-and-puno ### 2026-07-25: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-navy-dismantles-nine-illegal-mining-camps-in-border-province-of-esmeraldas ### 2026-07-23: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andean-court-hears-unprecedented-case-against-peru-over-illegal-mining ### 2026-07-20: 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. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mexico-bars-new-mining-in-protected-areas-peru-accelerates-exploration-approvals ### 2026-07-15: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peruvian-police-detain-19-seize-machinery-in-cusco-illegal-mining-crackdown ### 2026-07-15: 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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/perus-illegal-mining-threatens-copper-output-and-water-sources-across-multiple-regions ### 2026-07-14: 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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivias-ajam-reports-illegal-gold-mining-and-armed-attacks-on-inspectors ### 2026-07-11: 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. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/latin-america-intensifies-crackdowns-on-illegal-mining-and-aggregate-extraction ### 2026-07-11: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivian-navy-cracks-illegal-gold-mines-in-madidi-and-ramps-up-lake-titicaca-anticontraband-patrols ### 2026-07-07: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-and-bolivia-advance-new-mining-laws-to-curb-illegal-activity-and-boost-resource-sharing ### 2026-07-03: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-arrests-seven-suspects-after-arcom-mining-agency-attack-in-machala ### 2026-07-03: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-launches-digital-mining-passport-to-improve-mineral-traceability ### 2026-06-29: 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. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-and-colombia-seize-illegal-goldmining-equipment-in-joint-crackdowns ### 2026-06-24: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuador-police-destroy-illegal-mining-equipment-in-zamora-chinchipe ### 2026-06-21: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-and-bolivia-crackdown-on-illegal-mining-seize-assets-worth-billions ### 2026-06-19: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/panama-and-bolivia-crack-down-on-illegal-mining-sentencing-and-seizure ### 2026-06-17: 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. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-advances-mapa-law-to-support-small-artisanal-gold-miners ### 2026-06-13: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/machala-ecuador-arcom-headquarters-bombed-amid-illegal-mining-crackdown ### 2026-06-13: 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 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/criminal-networks-merge-illegal-mining-and-drug-trade-in-perus-amazon ### 2026-06-11: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ecuadorian-army-destroys-illegal-mining-camp-in-carchi-province ### 2026-06-08: 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‑‑ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-cracks-down-on-illegal-gold-mining-and-launches-264-million-world-bank-reform-for-mining-sector ### 2026-05-31: 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. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/perus-new-administration-faces-115-b-illegal-mining-challenge ### 2026-05-23: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peru-seizes-over-3-million-in-illegal-mining-gear-in-madre-de-dios ### 2026-05-21: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/illegal-mining-spreads-across-perus-protected-areas-hitting-cotahuasi-reserve ### 2026-05-13: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/illegal-gold-mining-destroys-over-500-hectares-in-perus-tambopata-reserve --- Cite as: South America mining reforms and crackdown expands. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/illegal-gold-mining-expands-damage-across-perus-protected-reserves