en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Peru (Minem) and the Swiss Confederation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting a more responsible and inclusive development of artisanal and small-scale gold mining (MAPE) in Peru.

Peruvian Minister of Energy and Mines, Waldir Ayasta Mechán, and Swiss Ambassador Paul Garnier, representing the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), jointly signed the document. Ayasta stated that this agreement consolidates a strategic alliance aimed at promoting better environmental, social, and governance practices in the gold value chain.

Ayasta noted that Switzerland has significant experience in the mining sector, with its operating companies present worldwide. Swiss support is crucial for improving the efficiency and competitiveness of Peru's artisanal and small-scale mining activities, achieving formalization, and meeting standards of modernization and sustainability.

The Swiss Ambassador stated that the Memorandum of Understanding reflects Switzerland's commitment to developing a responsible and sustainable gold value chain, with the goal of creating concrete opportunities for the formalization, traceability, and access to responsible markets for Peruvian MAPE.

Through this agreement, Peru formally joins the Swiss Programme for the Promotion of Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining. This is a global initiative funded by Switzerland through its economic cooperation, aimed at strengthening responsible gold value chains, helping to reduce poverty, and improving social and environmental conditions in the sector.

The program will be implemented between 2025 and 2028 and comprises three components. The first component is a competitive fund (Challenge Fund) that will co-finance innovative solutions to improve the environmental, social, and governance performance of MAPE, engaging the private sector. Selected projects will receive funding from Swiss economic cooperation and must secure at least 25% private co-financing. The first call for proposals closed on May 29, 2026.

The second component, with direct participation from Minem and SECO, focuses on policy dialogue to foster coordination among the national government, regional governments, and other industry stakeholders, with an emphasis on traceability, formalization, and incentives for responsible mining.

The third component focuses on knowledge management, through generating and disseminating lessons learned, case studies, and good practices, as well as promoting exchanges and participation in international forums.

Within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding, both parties will promote spaces for dialogue, provide technical support for regulatory reforms prioritized by Minem, conduct technical studies, and strengthen the capacity of public institutions related to the sector.

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