A Government Balancing Regional Pressures and Regulatory Responsibility
The Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP) reported that the Executive Branch is currently reviewing its response to Congress’s decision to extend the REINFO registry—Peru’s transitional permit system for informal miners—through 2027. The congressional move follows weeks of mobilization by small-scale and artisanal miners seeking legal continuity to keep operating and selling their output. For the Executive, however, endorsing another extension carries political and institutional risks: REINFO was created as an exceptional mechanism, yet repeated renewals have transformed it into a substitute for genuine formalization.
A Registry That Reflects Deeper Structural Weaknesses
The debate surrounding REINFO exposes a larger institutional challenge. Peru has not succeeded in designing a formalization model that combines viable incentives, credible oversight, and manageable timelines for miners working in remote areas. Although the registry was originally conceived to transition operators toward minimum environmental, labor, and traceability standards, weak enforcement capacity and fragmented governance have stalled progress. The Executive now faces a difficult choice: support the extension to avoid short-term territorial tensions or oppose it to signal the need for a more coherent and enforceable formalization strategy.
Why This Matters for Peru’s Economic and Institutional Outlook
The REINFO discussion is not a procedural detail—it is a test of Peru’s ability to govern one of its most sensitive and economically significant sectors. Gold remains one of the country’s leading exports, yet a substantial share flows through informal or illegal circuits, reducing fiscal revenue, degrading ecosystems, and harming Peru’s reputation in markets increasingly focused on responsible sourcing. The Executive’s final position will send a committing message about the country’s governance direction: whether it will continue relying on temporary exceptions or committing to building a regulatory framework that is realistic, enforceable, and sustainable in the long term.