Overview
- The Energy and Mines Commission approved the measure 17–3 with one abstention on Nov. 18 after rejecting a bid to split the vote, a tie resolved by the chair’s deciding ballot.
- The draft extends the registry through Dec. 31, 2027, suspends ongoing and future exclusion processes, and allows potential reinstatement of roughly 50,000 records removed in June, with the suspension not applying to those with firm convictions for mining-related crimes.
- Miner leaders said they will remain in Lima until the Plenary votes and the enacted law is sent for presidential promulgation.
- The package adds a national census of small-scale and artisanal mining, requires regional governments to transfer records to the Energy and Mines Ministry within 60 days, and introduces buyer verification duties to trace mineral origin.
- Critics highlight the Executive’s muted stance as a pro-government caucus voted in favor, and private-sector groups cite possible breaches of Andean anti–illegal mining policy that could trigger trade restrictions.