Title: Local Politics, Conflict and Development in Peruvian Mining Regions Author/Institution: Javier Arellano-Yanguas – PhD Thesis, University of Sussex
Publication Year: 2010
Decentralization and Resource Tensions
This thesis examines how Peru’s decentralization reforms reshaped the political dynamics of mining regions. The redistribution of mining revenues to local governments was intended to reduce inequality and promote development. Instead, it often amplified disputes by raising expectations without delivering visible improvements. Local elites and municipal leaders competed for control over mining revenues, intensifying political rivalries and fueling tensions with communities who felt excluded from decision-making.
Communities in the Crossfire
The research highlights how conflicts in mining regions are rarely just about environmental impacts or land use. They are deeply embedded in local political struggles. Communities face a dual frustration: on one side, they distrust mining companies for their environmental record and unfulfilled promises; on the other, they lose faith in local governments perceived as corrupt or captured by elite interests. This combination fosters a climate of recurring protests, blockades, and polarization, particularly in regions like Cajamarca and Ancash.
Reframing Development Pathways
The thesis concludes that development in Peru’s mining regions cannot be achieved solely through resource transfers or infrastructure projects. What is required is a political transformation that strengthens institutions, ensures accountability in revenue use, and genuinely includes communities in planning and oversight. Without such reforms, decentralization risks becoming a mechanism that redistributes conflict rather than resolving it. The analysis provides a critical lens for understanding why mining conflicts persist despite decades of high commodity revenues.