The 2021 mining exploration project portfolio includes 60 projects with an aggregate investment amount of US$ 506 million.

An interesting part of the report of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) is being able to see the origin of investments and this can be done by considering the country of origin of the main investor of each project.

So, according to the type of investor, there are capitals from 9 countries. In this aspect, Peru leads in the financing of exploration projects with US$ 152 million or 30% of the total amount invested, corresponding to 11 projects in the portfolio.

In second place are Canadian investments, with a total of US$ 132 million, equivalent to 26.2% of the total.

It is worth noting that Canada is in first place in terms of number of projects, with 20 projects in its portfolio.

Brazil is in third place, with a 12.6% share of the global investment portfolio, with a total of 5 projects and a combined investment of US$64 million.

While Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Mexico invested US$ 47 million, US$ 32 million and US$ 31 million, respectively.

The list is completed by capital from the United States (US$ 24 million); Australia (US$ 16 million) and Japan (US$ 8 million).

Minerals to be mined

On the other hand, the Minem detailed that gold projects are in first place, representing 35.1% of the global investment with US$ 178 million distributed in 24 projects of the portfolio.

"In this group are projects such as Las Defensas of Compañía Minera Poderosa in La Libertad and Tantahuatay 4 of Compañía Minera Coimolache in Cajamarca, whose investment amounts are US$ 69 million and US$ 28 million, respectively. The Shahuindo project of Shahuindo in Cajamarca and the Coloso project of Huarmy Colosal in Ancash have US$ 13 million and US$ 12 million budgeted for exploration activities," reported the ministry.

It added that in second place are copper projects, representing 30.7% of the total, with 17 projects and an accumulated investment budget of US$ 155 million.

"The aim is to achieve higher copper production in the long term through the development of projects such as Pampa Negra (US$ 45 million) of Minera Pampa de Cobre and Chapitos (US$ 41 million) of Camino Resources, located in the Moquegua and Arequipa regions, respectively," indicated the Minem.

Finally, in third place are the silver projects, reflecting 20.1% of the total investment in the portfolio, with a total of 9 projects and a combined investment of US$ 101 million.

"The projects that stand out from this group are Yumpag (US$ 49 million) of Compañía de Minas Buenaventura in the department of Pasco, as well as the Caylloma project (US$ 21 million) of Minera Bateas in the Arequipa region," the Minem reported.