Cajamarca at a crossroads: paralyzed mining projects and extreme poverty in the region.

The region of Cajamarca finds itself at a crucial crossroads in terms of its economic and social development, with a portfolio of stalled mining projects representing a significant investment of US$15.7 billion, according to the Peruvian Institute of Economics (IPE). These investments could radically change the situation of this region, which currently holds the unfortunate record of being the poorest, with 44% of its population living in conditions of extreme poverty. Among the halted mining projects are Michiquillay, Conga, El Galeno, La Granja, and Yanacocha Sulfuros, while three other projects are in the exploration stage: La Zanja, Colorado, and Colpayoc. These investments not only represent an opportunity to generate employment in the region but also to establish productive linkages with other sectors such as industry and agriculture, which could have a positive impact on poverty reduction. However, the current reality shows a bleak panorama in which the lack of coordination among the various actors involved in these projects has led to their paralysis. The State's inability to reconcile the demands of the population with the investment needs of companies has generated a worrying stagnation in the region's development. Projects that should have started operations years ago are now postponed until 2030, and some do not even have a set start date. The social conflict surrounding these projects reveals the deep gap between an absent State and a population lacking basic services and fundamental infrastructure. The lack of access to education, health, communications, and other essential services in many districts of the region exacerbates tensions and hinders the viability of investments. Inefficient public management and a shortage of talent in state administration are endemic problems that limit the government's capacity to respond to the population's needs. Furthermore, illegal mining represents an additional challenge in this complex equation. While formal mining is required to meet a series of environmental requirements and controls to operate, illegal mining takes advantage of the paralysis of legal projects and operates outside of any regulation, causing conflicts and irreparable environmental damage. The lack of a clear and effective policy to combat illegal mining is fostering a scenario of violence that spreads across various mining regions of the country, endangering both the environment and the safety of local communities. It is essential for authorities and the various actors involved in the development of Cajamarca to work in a coordinated and efficient manner to unlock these projects and ensure that their execution is carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner. Mining, being a crucial economic activity for the country, must be managed transparently and respectfully towards the environment and communities. Only in this way can its potential be harnessed to generate development and well-being in a region that is in great need of it.