Business guilds express concern over the repeal of measures against illegal mining.

Various business guilds have expressed their rejection and concern over the recent decision taken by the Congress of the Republic regarding the repeal of the first final complementary provision of Legislative Decree 1607, which established measures to combat the criminal activities associated with illegal mining in the country. In a press conference held yesterday, representatives from 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 Producers Guilds (AGAP), the Exporters Association (ADEX), the Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), and the Confederation of Communal Companies expressed their disagreement with the repeal and requested the Congress and the Executive Power to review and strengthen the process of formalization of small-scale mining. According to Víctor Gobitz, president of the SNMPE, it is essential that the Executive Power observes the decision of the Congress, following the message of promoting investments to reactivate the country's economy. Gobitz emphasized that the repeal mainly affects the fight against illegal mining and the criminal activities associated with this practice, which has become a serious issue that could even be financing political groups. On the other hand, Diego Zegarra, vice president of the IIMP, pointed out that the formalization process of mining, through the Comprehensive Mining Formalization Registry (REINFO), has high levels of registrants in suspended status, which hinders its effectiveness and does not meet the necessary requirements for achieving real formalization. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the negative impacts that illegal mining generates in the country, such as deforestation of vast areas and loss of tax revenues due to tax evasion. The business guilds highlighted that the repeal of these measures not only affects the mining sector but also all economic and productive activities in the country. Given this situation, it is expected that the representatives of the business guilds will issue a formal statement and request a meeting with the Prime Minister to address this vital issue for the development and security of the country. On the other hand, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) has stated that it will continue working in compliance with the provisions of the current legal framework, while the guilds call for reflection and action to reverse this decision that could have serious consequences for the country in its fight against illegal mining and organized crime.