"Peru to invest $7.6 billion to continue critical minerals extraction", 30 January 2026

...The Ministry of Energy and Mines announced it will invest $7.6 billion to expand and improve mining operations that extract zinc, lead, tin, silver, copper and gold. While many of these minerals are critical for the clean energy transition, their extraction has also contributed to pollution and land use change...

The $7.6 billion will mostly go to upgrading infrastructure and operation safety and efficiency at eight mine sites, in some cases extending their lifespans by several years. These include Pampa de Pongo, Cerro Verde and Zafranal mines in the Arequipa region, the Corani mine in the Puno region and the Huarón mine in the Pasco region.

Others will expand land use and mineral processing to help increase output. While that contributes to the clean energy market, it also comes with environmental risks.

The Huancapetí mine in the district of Áncash...[,]...operated by Minera Lincuna, produces lead, silver and zinc...

It has also been the target of protests by local communities upset about a lack of consultation about the mine’s activities...

Other residents said their land had been recently wrongfully taken from them, presumably to make room for the mine expansion.

None of the mining companies in this story responded to a request for comment...