Mining in Peru: Employment reaches second highest historical level

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) reported that employment generated by mining in Peru reached its second highest historical level, demonstrating a clear recovery in the sector and highlighting the importance of large mining projects for job creation and the dynamization of the national economy. According to the Minem report, as of the end of 2023, a total of 225,674 workers were employed in the mining industry, with the Quellaveco project in Moquegua being one of the main drivers of this record figure. In December of the same year, mining directly generated 226,432 jobs, representing a 0.9% increase compared to the previous year. Regarding the distribution of mining employment at the regional level, Arequipa led with 33,358 workers, followed by La Libertad with 21,340 and Áncash with 20,553 employees. In terms of gender, it was observed that 92.9% of jobs in the mining subsector were held by males, while women represented 7.1% of the workforce. It is important to highlight that employment generated by mining not only directly benefits workers in the sector, but also contributes to boosting the regional economy and promoting the development of other economic activities such as transportation, construction, and manufacturing. Companies like Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde S.A.A., Compañía Minera Poderosa S.A., and Compañía Minera Antamina S.A. stood out in job creation in different regions of the country, demonstrating the positive impact that mining can have on creating development opportunities. Minem emphasized the importance of unlocking large mining projects to continue attracting investments, creating jobs, and closing social gaps in Peru. These record figures in direct mining employment reflect an upward trend in the sector and are a positive indicator for the national economy as a whole.