Peru Election Ignores Illegal Mining Crisis

Election Campaign Overlooks Illegal Mining Crisis

BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Peruvians head to the polls Sunday to elect a new president and Congress, but illegal mining — a major driver of deforestation and mercury pollution — has received little attention on the campaign trail, even as it spreads deeper into the Amazon and Indigenous territories. Experts warn the gap reflects a broader failure to confront what has become the country’s largest illicit economy, with growing impacts on the environment, public health and Indigenous communities.

Economic Scale and Policy Gaps

According to projections by the Peruvian Institute of Economics, illegal mining generated more than $11.5 billion in 2025 and over 100 tons of gold exports — rivaling the formal sector and surpassing drug trafficking. Some candidates’ proposals include measures such as gold traceability, financial intelligence and protections for environmental defenders, but these remain fragmented and fall short of a comprehensive strategy. Many other candidates focus on security or economic growth without directly addressing illegal mining or its links to corruption and territorial control.

Environmental and Health Impacts

Illegal mining has grown rapidly, fueled by soaring gold prices reaching up to $5,000 per ounce. Once concentrated in regions such as Madre de Dios, it has spread across the Amazon. The use of mercury in gold extraction contaminates rivers and enters the food chain through fish, posing severe neurological risks. In Amazonian communities, where fish make up a large portion of diets, exposure levels are particularly high, raising concerns about long-term public health and environmental damage.

Weak Enforcement and Growing Pressure

Experts say enforcement efforts remain insufficient, with gaps in regulation allowing illegally mined gold to enter legal supply chains. Legislative changes have weakened prosecutors’ ability to pursue organized crime, while informal mining registries have been widely abused. Analysts highlight the lack of coordinated systems to track gold production and flows, pointing to weak traceability and limited political will. As illegal mining continues to expand, the next government will face mounting pressure to address a crisis that threatens biodiversity, public health and Indigenous communities.