Sebastián Benavides, president of proEXPLO 2023 and Discovery Manager for Peru-Ecuador at Anglo American, participated in Peru Day at PDAC 2023, a renowned international congress organized by the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada, in Toronto.

During his presentation, the expert highlighted the main reasons to continue investing in mining in Peru. One of them: the enormous geological potential of the country. "Peru is considered one of the countries with the largest and most diversified mineral resources in the world. And geology is apolitical," said the president of proEXPLO, distinguishing the geological potential of any political issue.

He also considered important the resilient economy that has not given up in the face of the various adversities it has faced in recent years. "Peru's GDP growth (an average of 4.6% per year) over the last 30 years (driven largely by mining) has far outpaced global GDP growth (3%) over the same period," he said.

He also highlighted the global context of energy transition and the growing demand for raw materials, for which Peru represents an important source of natural resources. "Global demand for metals doubles every 20-30 years. In the next 26 years, the world will extract more copper than in all of history," he explained.

Finally, he emphasized that Peru is a mining country, therefore, it has the know-how, an extensive trajectory, professionals and technicians in the field, and a favorable legal framework.

He also announced Peru's Mining Exploration Portfolio through 2022, which includes 63 projects, of which 49 are greenfield with a combined investment of US$ 523 million and a share of 89.3% of the global investment in the portfolio; and 14 are brownfield with an investment of US$ 63 million, representing 10.7%.

Among the most important greenfield projects, he mentioned La Zanja (US$ 114 million) in Cajamarca and Las Defensas (US$ 69 million) in La Libertad. The most important brownfield projects are Caylloma (US$21 million) and Quenamari (US$6 million), located in Arequipa and Puno, respectively.

This is evidence that the country continues to promote mining development, with 7 projects in the north, 32 projects in the center, 1 project in the east and 23 projects in the south.

proEXPLO 2023

Benavides also invited participants to attend proEXPLO 2023, the 13th International Congress of Prospectors and Explorers, organized by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers.

"proEXPLO 2023, under the slogan 'Discovering the mining of the future', reaffirms its commitment to strengthen the links between academia, industry and investors, with the purpose of continuing to develop a successful, innovative and environmentally friendly mining exploration that generates opportunities and benefits for society and surrounding populations," said proEXPLO 2023 president.

This congress will be held from May 8 to 10 in the city of Lima, where national and international representatives from mining companies, geological services, universities and other institutions will gather to learn about the latest advances in the sector to improve the exploration activities, as well as productivity and relations with the social and environmental surroundings.

proEXPLO 2023: Descubriendo la Minería del Futuro