Overview
- A Scotiabank estimate cited by the IIMP projects mining investment at about US$6.4 billion in 2026, roughly 10% higher and the strongest level in a decade.
- Official Minem data show October 2025 investment at US$573 million, the highest monthly figure of the year, with January–October totaling US$4.482 billion, up 17.7% year over year.
- Exploration led the rebound, rising 36% to US$597 million in the first ten months and accounting for 13.3% of executed investment.
- Zafranal was the top explorer with US$113 million (up 272%) through October, followed by Southern Perú with US$63 million (up 145.5%), according to Minem.
- Experts describe illegal gold mining as a major organized-crime business that has become highly profitable, while eight bills in Congress seek tougher penalties for inactive concessions.