Mining and the Peruvian State

Introduction

This book examines the social, environmental, and political sustainability of Peru's mining industry as it seeks to garner the benefits of the energy transition between now and 2050.

Global Context

As the global shift toward net-zero emissions accelerates, Peru is uniquely positioned to play a vital role in the energy transition, thanks to its abundant reserves of critical minerals. This growing global demand presents an unprecedented opportunity for the country to harness its natural wealth to support sustainable development.

Challenges and Opportunities

Yet, the experiences of the past 25 years have shown that maximizing these benefits requires more than resource abundance alone. Social and environmental challenges have too often accompanied mining expansion, leading to significant conflicts around new projects.

Moving the Conversation Forward

This book moves the conversation forward by offering a deeper understanding of the structural challenges posed by modern industrial mining and identifying the public policies needed to address them. It goes beyond the traditional 'resource curse' narrative to explore how mining can serve as a driver of inclusive growth - provided it is responsibly managed, transparently governed, and aligned with the needs of affected communities.

Building a Democratic and Participatory State

A key message is that the future of mining in Peru depends on building a stronger, more democratic, and participatory state: one capable of representing all sectors of society, not just corporate interests. By learning from past missteps and committing to institutional reforms that promote dialogue, accountability, and equitable development, Peru can chart a new path.

Goals for Sustainable Development

The goal is not simply to avoid conflict, but to contribute to a governance model and the building of institutional mechanisms capable of meeting and resolving variant interests in society, and that enable mining to contribute meaningfully to national well-being and long-term sustainability.

Broader Relevance

While Peru provides key examples of the problems arising from mining development, it typifies problems encountered elsewhere not just in Latin America but further afield. It will therefore be of interest to a far wider readership concerned with the extractive industries.

Intended Audience

This book will be of great interest to students and scholars of mining and the extractive industries, Latin American development, and natural resource management more widely, as well as those involved in government and NGOs.