On August 26, 2025, a report by Conservación Amazónica–ACCA warned that illegal gold mining in Peru’s Amazon has expanded at alarming speed, spreading from seven to nine regions. The incursion now reaches areas such as Cajamarca and Pasco, which had previously not been major hotspots. The findings confirm that the crisis is no longer confined to Madre de Dios but is steadily penetrating new frontiers, increasing both the scale and complexity of enforcement challenges.
The environmental impacts are devastating. According to the report, more than 11,500 hectares of forest were deforested in just one year, much of it near the Tambopata National Reserve, one of Peru’s most biodiverse areas. In total, illegal mining activities are now affecting over 250 water bodies and threatening at least 73 Indigenous communities, many of which rely on rivers and forests for their survival. This rapid expansion is accelerating mercury contamination, biodiversity loss, and irreversible ecosystem damage.
The spread of illegal mining underscores the growing fragility of Peru’s environmental governance. Each new incursion into previously unaffected regions multiplies the economic incentives for criminal groups while exposing more communities to health risks and violence. By documenting this shift, the August 26 report highlights how illegal mining is not only an environmental emergency but also a national security and development challenge, demanding stronger enforcement, interregional coordination, and international cooperation to curb a crisis that shows no signs of slowing.