The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) announced on March 25 the start of the Second Mining Internship 2026, involving leaders from areas near the Tía María (Arequipa) and Valiente (Huánuco) mining projects. The initiative aims to give participants a direct understanding of modern and sustainable mining practices.
The program is designed to inform local leaders about all stages of mining activity, from exploration to mine closure, and how these activities generate value for communities, districts, regions, and the country. “We want to inform you about mining activity, from the beginning of exploration to mine closure, so you know how this activity generates value for territories, communities, districts, regions and the country,” said Walter Sánchez, director general of Promotion and Mining Sustainability at MINEM during the event’s opening.
Sánchez said that participants will receive training from various specialists with accurate information so they can monitor company actions as well as understand their own responsibilities along with those of local authorities. “So that you can monitor what companies do and also be aware of your obligations as well as those of your local authorities—and encourage projects to move forward rather than fail,” he said.
The event focuses on promoting sustainable mining in communities by providing education on regulations application, environmental management, and social dialogue. The Directorate for Sustainability and Mining Coordination (DSAM), which organizes the event with support from Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP), has arranged a technical visit to a mine for participants to observe operational processes firsthand.
Mayra Figueroa, director at DSAM emphasized that attendees will learn about mining’s potential benefits: “It is possible to improve quality of life in your communities because mining generates taxes—resources you should know how are used so you can oversee them,” she said. This year’s internship includes 15 participants each from different districts in Valle de Tambo (Islay province) in Arequipa region and Hermilio Valdizán district (Leoncio Prado province) in Huánuco region. They will be trained by experts from PUCP as well as SENACE, OEFA, Agroideas and Proinversión.
According to MINEM’s report during 2025 five similar internships were held involving 155 people across ten regions including Arequipa; San Martín; Cusco; Cajamarca; Huánuco; La Libertad; Piura; Puno; Lambayeque; Moquegua. Earlier this year another session was held with participation from Ayacucho and Lambayeque.
