en.Wedoany.com Reported - Peru's mining exploration investment has grown by 20% over the past year and is expected to exceed $10 billion again by 2026. This growth is driven by increased global demand for critical minerals, particularly copper, and renewed interest in restarting the country's mining project portfolio. Gustavo de Vinatea, General Manager of the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), stated while presenting the proEXPLO 2026 event: "Last year, we grew approximately 20% in mining exploration, reaching nearly $10 billion. We hope to exceed that figure this year and maintain a similar growth rate."

Peru currently has a portfolio of 67 mining projects, representing an estimated investment exceeding $64 billion, with approximately 70% related to copper. Copper, as a strategic mineral for the energy transition and global electrification, is seeing increased demand that is driving mining exploration activity. De Vinatea emphasized: "The first link in the mining chain is exploration. Without exploration, there are no new mines." The dynamism of exploration is crucial to ensuring the continuity of mining development in the medium and long term.

However, Peru has not launched a new large-scale mining operation since Quellaveco began production in 2018. De Vinatea noted that while the country maintains geological attractiveness and interest from international investors, regulatory stability and legal certainty are decisive factors in maintaining capital flows to exploration. He stated: "We must be able to attract formal investment at all levels. For this, we need stable and clear rules within the concession system."

According to IIMP data, Peru holds the world's second-largest copper reserves, positioning it as a key player in supplying metals needed for the energy transition. If the current project portfolio is realized, Peru could rise in the rankings to become one of the world's leading copper producers. In this context, the proEXPLO 2026 event will be held from May 4th to 6th at the Jockey Exhibition Center in Lima, aiming to consolidate its role as a strategic platform for promoting new mining exploration opportunities in Peru and Latin America. The event will bring together representatives from over 30 countries, featuring keynote speeches, professional courses, and geological project presentations to enhance industry competitiveness and promote new investment. De Vinatea concluded: "proEXPLO 2026 is already the most important mining exploration event in Latin America, reflecting the growing interest of the international community in Peru's geological potential."

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