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Peru Mining Now Covers 16.5% of Land as One-Third of Claims Overlap Communal Territories

Newly presented mapping by community leaders and researchers underpins demands for open geodata, full georeferencing, prior consultation.

Overview

  • Civil society groups including the Institute of the Common Good and the Platform for Responsible Land Governance unveiled consolidated geospatial findings at a Lima dialogue on November 13–14.
  • In Madre de Dios, 22% of the region is under mining concessions and mining-related deforestation has surpassed 135,000 hectares in 2025.
  • Espinar in Cusco has 47% of its province concessioned while about 90% of communal lands lack georeferencing and only 10% of communities have completed it.
  • The southern mining corridor affects 37 campesino communities, and the Madre de Dios corridor impacts 10 native communities.
  • Participants urged public, up-to-date interoperable geodata, comprehensive georeferencing, and respect for prior consultation, citing social harms, health risks, and weak state oversight.