Peru’s government has granted a final extension to the temporary permits that allow informal and artisanal miners to operate legally under the REINFO registry. The new deadline has been set for December 31, 2025. Authorities emphasized that this extension is intended to give miners a last opportunity to formalize their operations in line with environmental, labor, and safety standards. Initially created as a transitional framework, REINFO has been extended multiple times, but this latest announcement was framed as a firm deadline, signaling the government’s intent to tighten enforcement and reduce tolerance for non-compliance.
The decision comes amid growing tensions between the state and informal mining groups. In recent months, over 50,000 miners were removed from the registry for failing to meet minimum requirements or remaining inactive. Only around 31,000 miners remain eligible to pursue formalization. This cleanup of the registry sparked protests, including road blockades along critical mining transport corridors. Informal mining unions have also expressed frustration with new regulatory demands, such as secure storage for explosives, which they argue are unrealistic for small-scale operators without financial or technical support. The risk of renewed demonstrations remains high, especially in regions where informal mining is deeply embedded in local economies.
This extension reflects the complex balance between regulation and social stability in Peru’s mining sector. By keeping miners within a regulated path rather than criminalizing them outright, the government aims to reduce environmental damage, labor exploitation, and social unrest. More importantly, it creates an opportunity to reinforce social license to operate by demonstrating that the state is willing to listen and support transitions, rather than impose rigid mandates. For mining companies and affected communities, the successful integration of informal miners into the formal economy could lead to more stable relationships, reduced conflict, and shared benefits. However, this will require sustained political will, transparent processes, and concrete support mechanisms to make formalization a viable path forward.