Formalization and Regulatory Updates
In mid-September 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the REINFO program, Peru’s formalization regime for artisanal and small-scale miners. Authorities emphasized that bringing informal operators into legality remains one of the most pressing policy challenges, given the social, environmental, and fiscal costs of illegality. REINFO is being strengthened with clearer requirements, digital platforms for monitoring, and coordination with regional governments to accelerate the transition from informal to formal mining.
Copper Mapping Findings
Alongside these regulatory efforts, new geological mapping and reserve assessments revealed that more than 70% of Peru’s copper reserves are concentrated in Arequipa and Cajamarca. This finding underscores the strategic importance of these two regions in Peru’s copper future, positioning them as central hubs for investment and exploration. Both departments already host major operations and projects, and the updated mapping is expected to guide both private exploration strategies and public policy planning for infrastructure, energy, and community development.
Implications for the Sector
The combination of a stronger formalization regime and updated copper reserve mapping sends a dual message: Peru is not only seeking to curb illegal mining but also to consolidate its leadership in global copper supply. By focusing on Arequipa and Cajamarca, the government highlights the regions that will likely attract the next wave of large-scale projects, but also those that may face heightened social pressures if growth is not inclusive. The policy challenge will be to ensure that regulatory modernization goes hand in hand with sustainable development, so that copper remains a driver of opportunity rather than conflict.