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

The head of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), Jaime Gálvez, participated in the opening ceremony of the 12th International Congress of Prospectors and Explorers - proEXPLO 2021.

"The mining sector is strategic for the country and exploration is the beginning of all," said the minister.

He also highlighted that our country is attractive for mining exploration due to its recognized geological potential; it also has legal stability and offers competitive energy prices, among other positive factors.

In this sense, Jaime Gálvez urged the next government to pay more attention to mining exploration and work towards recovering its fourth place in the market.

"For this year, investments in mining exploration could reach US$ 300 million and by 2022 reach US$ 360 million. In addition, our current portfolio is based on 60 new projects that represent an investment of US$ 506 million," he explained.

More efforts in the sector

At the opening ceremony of proEXPLO, the Minister of Minem also indicated that in May of this year the "Regional Multi-Stakeholder Dialogues" program is expected to be launched in Cajamarca.

"We have already started in Moquegua and we hope to bring these dialogues to Cajamarca in May," he revealed.

Similarly, Jaime Gálvez commented that although the mining formalization program has had advances and also stagnated, the current administration is working on measures to boost small and artisanal mining; to accompany them in the formalities; to be able to trace gold and to ensure that working conditions are respected.

On the other hand, he stated that his administration has focused on strengthening the Geological, Mining and Metallurgical Institute (Ingemmet). "With the support of the United States cooperation regarding research on lithium and rare earths in the country", pointed out Jaime Gálvez.