The Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM) announced on March 20 the opening of the “International Conference on the Mining Environment in Latin America 2026,” led by Vice Minister of Mines Juan Samanez Bilbao. The event aims to improve the management of mining environmental liabilities in Peru, with participation from public institutions, private organizations, and international entities.
This topic is important as it addresses sustainable development challenges related to mining activities, focusing on effective mine closure processes and environmental responsibility.
“Today we are brought together by a common purpose: to strengthen our technical, institutional, and human capacities to address one of our country’s greatest sustainable development challenges—the proper management of mining environmental liabilities and efficient execution of mine closure processes,” Samanez Bilbao said during his remarks. He also described the conference as a strategic opportunity for sharing knowledge between institutions, adopting best practices and innovative technologies, strengthening governance and international cooperation, and promoting higher standards for environmental compliance.
The event was organized by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation (KOMIR), and MINEM. It included experts and delegations from South Korea, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru. MINEM has signed agreements with KOICA and the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI) to support projects focused on remediating mining environmental liabilities through technology transfer and technical assistance. These agreements are considered significant steps toward improving mine closure processes.
Samanez Bilbao expressed appreciation for KOICA’s ongoing commitment to sustainable development in Peru. “This ongoing joint effort produces concrete results that help build trust among the state, industry, and society,” he said.
South Korean Ambassador Choi Jong-wook also addressed attendees: “This conference is an appropriate occasion for Korea, Peru, and other friendly countries in Latin America to discuss common challenges in sustainable mining and environmental management of mines by sharing their policies, technologies, and various experiences.” The event was attended by Kim Young-woo (director of KOICA in Peru), Kwon Soon-jin (director of KOMIR’s Mineral Resources Division), MINEM directors, as well as professionals from both public and private sectors.
