Peru leads illegal gold exports in South America: alarming study

A recent study conducted by the Peruvian Institute of Economics (IPE) has revealed that Peru leads the list of countries that have exported the most illegal gold during the year 2023 in South America, reaching a concerning 45% participation in this illicit trade. This information was presented during the second day of the SYMPOSIUM - XV International Mining Meeting by the general manager of the IPE, Carlos Gallardo, generating great concern in the international community and among Peruvian authorities. According to the collected data, the volume of illegal gold exports in Peru has significantly multiplied, reaching seven times higher compared to the year 2005. This translates to the export of 77 tons of illegal gold by the end of the past year, with an estimated value of US $4.833 billion. These alarming figures reflect an upward trend in illicit exports, driven by the high price of the precious metal and the lack of strong measures by the public sector to combat this issue. The report prepared by the IPE, at the request of the National Society of Mining, Oil, and Energy (SNMPE), indicates that illegal and informal mining has had a worrying advancement in recent years in various countries in South America. This activity not only has a negative impact on the economy and the environment but is also strongly linked to criminal activities such as transnational organized crime, human trafficking, smuggling, and extortion. In this context, the IPE representative has highlighted that mining formalization policies implemented in the region have failed due to the lack of a comprehensive and coordinated strategy. This situation has been exploited by criminal organizations and armed groups linked to illegal mining, further complicating the fight against this issue that affects not only Peru but the entire region. It is imperative that Peruvian authorities and neighboring governments work together to address this serious situation and effectively combat illegal mining, which not only represents an economic loss for the state but also has serious social and environmental consequences. It is necessary to implement stricter and more effective measures to dismantle the criminal networks operating in this illicit market and ensure the sustainability of the mining industry in the region. In contrast to this concerning outlook, the mining company Las Bambas has presented an innovative social management model focused on the sustainable development of communities. This initiative aims to promote responsible mining that generates tangible benefits for the local population and contributes to the well-being of communities surrounding its operations. Such approaches are essential to build a more ethical mining industry committed to sustainable development, respecting the rights of communities and protecting the natural environment. In conclusion, the issue of illegal mining in Peru and South America requires urgent and coordinated action by governments, mining companies, and society as a whole. It is essential to adopt effective measures to eradicate this illegal activity that causes so much harm to the country and the region as a whole. Only through a joint and committed effort can illegal mining be successfully combated and ensure a sustainable future for communities and the environment.