Overview
- The Congressional Energy and Mines Commission approved a procedural motion to create a multisector working group on small‑scale mining formalization through December 15, delaying a new statutory extension of the temporary Reinfo mechanism that currently expires on December 31, 2025.
- Competing bills remain active to prolong Reinfo for varying periods, including proposals to extend to 2026 (Roberto Sánchez), December 2028 (Wilson Quispe), June 2029 (Guido Bellido), and December 2030 (Pasión Dávila), alongside a separate push for a one‑year renewal and reincorporation of excluded registrants.
- Protesters identified as informal and some illegal miners have gathered outside Congress for days seeking a five‑year extension and reinstatement of those removed from the registry, with media citing about 50,000 exclusions following DS 012‑2025.
- Action Popular congressman Wilson Soto publicly rejected another extension, criticized the Energy and Mines Ministry for missed obligations, and urged clear targets, deadlines, and digital oversight to avoid a cycle that he says shields illegal operations.
- Industry figures and analysts warn that repeated extensions risk entrenching illegal mining, worsening crime and corruption, and seeding illicit campaign financing, noting an IPE estimate of roughly US$12 billion in illegal gold exports this year.