Peru Could Lead Global Copper Production if It Activates 70% of Its Mining Project Pipeline
Gustavo De Vinatea, member of the proEXPLO 2026 Organizing Committee, warns that the country has a historic opportunity driven by global demand for the metal.
Lima, April 23, 2026.- Peru has the potential to become the world’s leading copper producer if it succeeds in advancing at least 70% of its mining project pipeline, valued at more than USD 64 billion, said Gustavo De Vinatea, General Manager of the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP) and member of the proEXPLO 2026 Committee.
A Historic Window
“Peru could move from third to first place in global copper production if we bring 70% of the projects in the pipeline into operation,” De Vinatea said in RPP Noticias, noting that nearly 70% of these initiatives are focused on this strategic metal.
He explained that although the country holds the world’s second-largest copper reserves, production has not grown at the same pace in recent years due to the lack of new projects entering operation.
“Since 2018, no major mines have been commissioned; growth has been sustained through expansions and improvements at existing operations,” he added.
In this context, he emphasized that copper has taken on a central role in the global economy. “Today, copper is the new oil. It is essential for the electrification of the world, technological development, and the transition to clean energy,” he said.
De Vinatea stressed that the growing demand for copper is driven by processes such as the energy transition, the expansion of artificial intelligence, and the construction of data centers.
“The world needs more copper, and the main constraint is supply. Peru has a unique opportunity that it has not had with other resources in its history,” he stated.
Mining and Employment
The IIMP representative also highlighted the impact of formal mining on employment and economic development. The sector currently generates around 270,000 direct jobs and more than 1.6 million total jobs, including indirect employment.
“These are formal, high-quality jobs with demanding standards. Mining is one of the activities that generates the most opportunities in the country,” he said.
In this context, he announced the upcoming proEXPLO 2026, to be held from May 4 to 6, an event that will bring together industry leaders to discuss the future of mining exploration. “We want to establish proEXPLO as the leading mining exploration event in the Southern Hemisphere,” he concluded.