Seven business guilds oppose the repeal of the Decree against illegal mining.

Seven business guilds expressed their rejection of the Congress' decision to repeal Legislative Decree 1607, which aimed to combat illegal mining in Peru. Among the associations that expressed their discontent are the National Confederation of Private Business Institutions (Confiep), the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy (SNMPE), the Foreign Trade Society (ComexPeru), the Association of Agricultural Producer Guilds (AGAP), the Exporters Association (ADEX), the Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), and the Confederation of Communal Companies. These entities indicated that the repeal of this regulation represents a setback in the fight against illegal mining, which is classified as the country's primary criminal economy, even surpassing drug trafficking. By eliminating these measures, the capacity of the National Police to control the trafficking of explosives used by illegal mining is limited, not only for mineral theft but also to divert them to other criminal activities that endanger national security. Additionally, they warned about the prolonged incentive for invasions of lands concessioned by the Peruvian state, generating legal instability that discourages investments in the sector. They emphasized the importance of distinguishing between small-scale formal or informal mining and illegal mining, which operates criminally and is associated with criminal organizations. The guilds also criticized the Comprehensive Mining Formalization Registry (REINFO), considering that it currently facilitates the operation of illegal miners who use explosives and war weapons, causing significant environmental and economic damage to the country. Additionally, they warned that the repeal of this regulation goes against the formal economy and the security of citizens by allowing the impunity of criminal activities in the national territory. Finally, they called on the Congress and the Executive Branch to unite in the fight against criminality, urging the adoption of effective measures to put an end to the impunity with which criminal activities, including illegal mining, operate.