Officials highlight Peru’s US$70B mining investment portfolio
Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines has also reported that 47 persons were killed in mining-related accidents in 2013.
mineweb.com
Author: Dorothy Kosich
Posted: Friday , 10 Jan 2014
RENO (MINEWEB) -
As Peru enters the New Year, the nation’s Energy and Mines Ministry has reported Peru’s mining investment portfolio has reached a record high of more than US$70 billion.
In an interview with Peru’s official government news agency, Andina, Minister Jorge Merino said the mining project portfolio in the Peruvian regions of Arequipa, Apurimac and Cajamarca currently amount to US$42 billion, accounting for 60% of Peru’s total mining investment portfolio.
“Investments that have arrived to Peru are becoming increasingly important as the country’s economy has been developing based on mining companies’ input,” said Merino, adding the population in the country’s inner regions “are beginning to understand the benefits of modern mining, which practices aim to lessen environmental impacts from production and guarantee clean water.”
Among mining’s impacts in Peru last year, however, were a combined 47 mining-related deaths, down from 53 fatalities in 2012. The official government mining fatality figures do not include persons killed in illegal mining operations. Causes of death include operation of machinery, rockfalls, electrical accidents, explosives, and toxic gases, as well as other hazards. |
