What’s next for REINFO and the mining sector?

Peru’s mining landscape entered a new phase this week, as a congressional committee advanced a proposal to prolong the temporary authorizations granted to informal miners until the end of 2027. The decision came on a tense day in Lima, where over a thousand miners gathered outside Congress to voice concerns about the imminent expiration of these permits.

The initiative now moves to the full Congress for debate and potential ratification. The temporary framework REINFO, which gives miners provisional legal standing has already undergone several extensions and is currently set to lapse in December.

Protests

Earlier in the day, fresh demonstrations erupted. Many miners argue that the path to full formalization remains burdensome and expensive, prompting their request for up to five additional years to complete the transition. Most of these miners operate in small-scale gold extraction.

Concerns

At the same time, formal mining companies and technical experts have raised alarms, warning that repeated extensions may unintentionally fuel illegal operations. According to industry voices, REINFO has at times allowed unlawful actors including groups linked to criminal networks to profit amid historically high global gold prices.

The political timing adds another layer to the discussion: the debate unfolds just five months before Peru’s general elections, with numerous legislators seeking to retain their seats.

Political support?

CONFEMIN PERÚ President MAXIMO ADOLFO FRANCO BEQUER expressed that President Jose Jeri: “promised us that before taking a position on any potential decision by Congress, he will assess the situation of informal miners”.

Peru the gold leader

Peru continues to stand among the world’s leading mining countries. In 2024, the nation reported $15.5 billion in gold exports, though sector data and the financial regulator estimate that around 40% of that gold originates from illegal sources, a stark reminder of the governance challenges at hand.

Importance of the World Mining Congress 2026

The current national debate around REINFO is more than a policy question, it reflects global themes: responsible mineral sourcing, the challenges of formalization, the role of technology, the urgency of strengthening governance, and the social dimensions of mining.

These are precisely the issues addressed at the World Mining Congress 2026, a platform that brings together governments, companies, academic institutions, and innovators to collaborate on long-term solutions.

For Peru, hosting the WMC offers a strategic opportunity to showcase its mining leadership, exchange knowledge with global experts, and accelerate pathways toward safer, more sustainable, and more competitive mining practices. For the international community, it is a gateway to understanding one of the most important mining ecosystems in the world.

World Mining Congress 2026

We invite World policymakers, industry professionals, researchers, and innovators to take part in this historic event and contribute to shaping the next era of global mining.