Lima, February 21, 2025 Managing time, providing political and regulatory stability, as well as having an eye on the international market are crucial aspects to strengthen Peru's attractiveness as a destination for investment in mining exploration. This was highlighted by geological engineer Sebastián Benavides, member of the Advisory Committee of the International Congress of Prospectors and Explorers (proEXPLO 2025) in the last special Mining Thursday (Jueves Minero) organized by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP).

Regarding time management, Benavides referred to the lengthy bureaucratic and administrative processes that must be carried out to start new exploration projects. Procedures that should be carried out in a short period of time can take years, jeopardizing the future of the project and the companies involved. The most affected, he said, are the junior mining companies, mainly dedicated to exploration, which at that stage of work do not have income and, due to delays, have difficulty in accessing financing.

On the other hand, Benavides highlighted the need to strengthen the climate of political stability in the country, in addition to generating confidence through regulatory certainty. He explained that continuous changes at the regulatory level mean that many projects remain stagnant, creating a climate of distrust for investors.

Regarding the international market, the geological engineer explained that “countries such as Chile and Argentina have made important discoveries and are becoming more attractive for mining investment”. He explained that this is a context that Peru cannot ignore and must make the necessary efforts to maintain its attractiveness and leadership as a mining country in the world.

“As an industry, we have two major responsibilities. To attract as much investment as possible for mining exploration and guarantee that these resources come to our region,” said Benavides, who is also past president of proEXPLO 2023. In this regard, he emphasized that proEXPLO is a fundamental space for showcasing new projects and the innovation applied to their development. “On the other hand, there is the importance of exchanging ideas that will allow us to be more successful in promoting new projects that will be the mining of the future,” he added.

During IIMP's Mining Thursday (Jueves Minero), it was emphasized that mining exploration is the first link for the development and sustainability of mining in Peru. According to Walter Tejada, president of proEXPLO 2025, “we cannot talk about sustainable mining without exploration”. He recalled that in 2024, investment in mining exploration in Peru grew by 28.1%, and we currently have a portfolio of 75 projects in the drilling stage, for a total of US$ 644 million. “However, we have not yet recovered historical levels of investment,” he noted.

As you may recall, proEXPLO 2025's mission is to consolidate Peru as a reference in mining exploration in the region, promoting investment, innovation and sustainability in the sector. Through its extensive conference agenda, the event also seeks to focus on generating a more competitive environment, fostering dialogue on how to streamline regulatory processes and enhance access to financing. With this edition, proEXPLO reaffirms its commitment to promote the growth of the industry and position Peru as the main scenario for mining exploration in Latin America.