Peruvian Mining Research Articles

Water Troubles: Peruvian Capitalists, Mining Infrastructure, and the First Copper Bonanza

This essay examines struggles over a water drainage tunnel as a window into the politics of mining, infrastructure, and national development in early twentieth-century Peru. It argues that the Peruvian mining elite operated as an organized network of entrepreneurs, mobilizing capital, environmental technology, and the power of the state to challenge the rising hegemony of US interests in Peru's copper corridor. Unlike the classic literature on nineteenth-century mining in Peru, which has presented Peruvian mineowners as a struggling bourgeoisie, this study focuses on this group's innovations and dynamism in the wake of the copper bonanza. It also studies its discursive strategies, which appealed to preexisting skepticism of free trade and anxieties about foreign influence. Altogether, this essay contributes to the literature on US imperialism and capitalist penetration by centering local actors and studying US hegemony as a contentious and contingent process.

Using MCA methodology in the mining industry to aid in achieving sustainable management: Case study in the Peruvian mining industry

Quantifying the positive and negative impacts on mining activity is precisely knowing how this activity has been operating. Indeed, in this work its central objective is to quantify the impacts evaluated from a holistic perspective. The positive and negative impacts generated by mining activity in part of the northern region of Peru have been collected, analyzed and evaluated. For the evaluation of externalities, the multiple criteria evaluation (MCA) methodology has been used as a basis, which has been improved by including adjustment factors or weights, both for the components and for the evaluation variables. The calculations of the adjustment factors have been carried out for both the assigned weights and the calculated weights. The impacts obtained through assumed adjustment factors represent 41.50% for positive impacts and 58.50% for negative impacts, while the impacts obtained through the calculated weights were 44.96% for the positive ones and 55.04% for the negative ones. Consequently, multi-criteria assessment of the impacts generated by mining activity using an enhanced multi-criteria assessment with calculated weights is more recommended. It concludes with suggestions for the Peruvian government, mining entrepreneurs and other interested actors to improve the credibility of mining and thus achieve a social license to operate.

Quantitative risk assessment of mercury exposure in Madre de Dios and Puno Peruvian mining communities

Quantitative risk assessment of mercury exposure in Madre de Dios and Puno Peruvian mining communities

The Effect of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment Using Clean Electrolysis Technology and Heavy Metal Reduction and Ph Increase: A Peruvian Mine Case Study

The Effect of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Treatment Using Clean Electrolysis Technology and Heavy Metal Reduction and Ph Increase: A Peruvian Mine Case Study

Including the change in natural capital stock and environmental degradation in Peruvian mining GDP and NNP

Including the change in natural capital stock and environmental degradation in Peruvian mining GDP and NNP

Effect of Particle Size and Molarity of Hardening Solution on the Mechanical Properties of New Geopolymeric Mortars Manufactured from Mine Tailings

In this work, the effect of the maximum particle size and the molar concentration of the alkaline hardening solution on the mechanical response in uniaxial compression of geopolymeric mortars manufactured from the geopolymerization of Peruvian mine tailings dust was evaluated. The mechanical results found showed that the average mechanical resistance increased as the molar concentration of the hardening solution increased from 10 to 15M, on the other hand, it was possible to verify that as the particle size of sand and mine tailings is greater, the mechanical resistance values increased. The mechanical data found are in good agreement with the porosity results, that is, as the porosity values increased, the mechanical resistance gradually decreased. The stiffness values reported in the studied geopolymeric mortars showed a slight increase when the values of molar concentration and maximum particle size increased. All the mortars studied presented a similar microstructure, with fine sand particles dispersed within a continuous phase of geopolymer (geopolymerized mining tailings).

Numerical analysis of an automotive cage used in the Peruvian mining sector

Numerical analysis of an automotive cage used in the Peruvian mining sector

Evaluation of the Thermomechanical Response of Geopolymeric Mortars Manufactured from Peruvian Mining Residues and its Comparison with Portland Cement Mortars

Geopolymeric mortars made from a mixture of waste from the Peruvian informal mining industry, sodium hydroxide activating solution, and fine sand were studied, comparing them physically and mechanically with conventional Portland cement mortars. Both conventional and geopolymeric mortars were prepared in parallel and then subjected to uniaxial compression tests at various temperatures (ambient, 200 °C and 500 °C). The mechanical results found revealed maximum average resistance values of 63, 84 and 79 MPa for conventional mortars, and 12, 32 and 36 MPa for geopolymeric mortars, when they were tested at room temperature, 200 °C and 500 °C, respectively. The best mechanical results in geopolymeric mortars were found when considering a binder: fine sand ratio of 1:2, molarity of the hardening solution of 12 M and a hardening solution: binder ratio of 0.6. It was possible to demonstrate a good agreement between the distribution of particle sizes observed microstructurally and those found by granulometry studies by laser light diffraction.

The peruvian mining boom and dutch disease. Empirical evidence from 2003 to 2020

The peruvian mining boom and dutch disease. Empirical evidence from 2003 to 2020

Governance capture and socio-environmental conflict: a critical political economy of the global mining industry’s prior consultation regime

Prior consultation purports to mitigate socio-environmental conflict risks by creating deliberative and democratic spaces for local communities to influence decisions over newly proposed mining projects. Yet, many contest state and corporate claims to fair and inclusive decision-making, insisting that mines are often approved in violation of their human rights. Using a critical political economy of environmental governance approach, we analyze the multilevel governance regime which informs the practice of prior consultation within the global mining industry. We argue that this regime has become ‘captured’ by mining interests, as evidenced by the ‘market-enabling’ procedures which restrict communities’ capacity to exercise self-determination. Furthermore, we suggest that this leaves some local groups with little choice but to engage in risky protest action to express opposition. We utilize the Brazilian and Peruvian mining sectors as illustrative vignettes, for which data were collected from extensive fieldwork in both countries.

Innovation and competitiveness in the copper-mining GVC: developing local suppliers in Peru

Abstract Although Peru is one of the main producers of copper worldwide, the domestic industry has not yet fully taken advantage of the potential that the exploitation of this commodity offers. This paper explores the opportunities and challenges that Peruvian suppliers face in their insertion into the mining global value chain. Our analysis is based on a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative primary and secondary sources, including semi-structured interviews with key actors in the Peruvian mining sector. Our findings suggest that the weak presence of Peruvian suppliers in a sector dominated by few foreign firms is due to global industry dynamics as well as the underdeveloped capabilities of local firms operating in a fragile local institutional setting. However, their opportunities for their insertion are primarily in areas where new solutions are required, which places a demand on the supplier’s innovative capacity.

Experiences of Underground Mine Backfilling Using Mine Tailings Developed in the Andean Region of Peru: A Green Mining Solution to Reduce Socio-Environmental Impacts

In Peru, socio-environmental conflicts related to the development of mining-metallurgical processes and the responsible disposal of mine tailings have become central issues for accepting mining projects, especially regarding building relationships of trust with the communities. This condition has prompted the Peruvian mining industry to advance in managing alternatives to the conventional surface disposal of mine tailings. A promising and increasingly popular management strategy for mine tailings in Peru is their disposal inside underground mines. This article presents: site-specific conditions, advantages/disadvantages, and lessons learned from practical experiences of mine tailings disposal in underground mines in Peru. In addition, some techniques are highlighted, such as (i) hydraulic fill, (ii) cemented hydraulic fill, and (iii) cemented paste backfill. Finally, this article concludes that the responsible disposal of mine tailings in underground mines is a green mining solution that reduces negative socio-environmental impacts, limiting the generation of acid rock drainage (ARD) and the leaching of metals due to the decrease in contact with oxygen and rainfall, thus mitigating the contamination of surface and underground waters, reducing the footprint of affectation in the territory, and eliminating the emission of particulate matter in the environment.

Analysis of the liquidity, solvency and profitability of the mining companies listed on the S&P/BVL Mining Index during the 2004–2020 period.

In several countries, mining contributes more than most sectors to economic growth. But the activity is marked by cyclical behaviour, including booms in the price of metals—such as that which occurred in the period 2004-2012. Therefore, it is important for investors to identify the financial performance of companies in the sector. This study aims to analyse the levels of liquidity, solvency, and profitability of Peruvian mining companies listed on the S&P/BVL Mining Index for the period 2004–2020, given the contribution of mining to GDP growth and employment in Peru. We utilise a quantitative approach, collecting data from the companies’ financial statements through Bloomberg. The research design is non-experimental, based on a descriptive, comparative, and longitudinal approach. For the statistical analysis, descriptive statistics tests and Student’s t-test were carried out. Analysis of the results reveal that the liquidity, solvency, and profitability of this group of companies exhibited a better performance during the metal-price boom period, with a marked decrease in the following period.

Rock mass classification method applying neural networks to minimize geomechanical characterization in underground Peruvian mines

This research aims to enhance the classification of the rock mass in underground mining, a common problem due to geological alterations that do not fit existing methods. Artificial neural networks are proposed as a solution, which use input/output data to learn and solve problems. The process involves gathering data on rock properties and training the neural networks to identify and classify various types of rock. Once trained, the neural networks can classify the rock mass in real-time during mine design and progression, adapting to different rock types with a low margin of error of 0.279% in determining the RMR index. This research overcomes the limitations of current classification methods, providing a more accurate and reliable solution for the classification of the rock mass in underground mining. In summary, artificial neural networks are utilized to improve the classification of rock mass in underground mining by adapting to geological changes and providing precise classification results.

Comparative Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) between a Geopolymeric Mortar Derived from Mining Waste and Conventional Mortar

The life cycle analysis (LCA) is a methodology that allows us to contemplate the environmental impact of a material during the different stages of the life cycle. The impact categories were used to measure the repercussions caused to the planet due to the high demand generated by construction materials. This study addressed the stages of a life cycle analysis, according to the ISO 14044 [1] standard, with the aim of evaluating, quantifying and comparing the environmental impacts associated with the manufacture of mortar with similar mechanical behavior: A conventional mortar and a geopolymeric mortar, the latter developed from a geopolymerization process of waste from the Peruvian mining industry [2,3]. The scope of the work sought to evaluate the main environmental impacts of both mortars, focusing on a "cradle to door" life cycle analysis. The application of LCA allowed optimizing the manufacturing process, reducing adverse environmental impacts. The results showed that the environmental impacts of the geopolymeric mortar presented better performance in the medium impact categories: Environmental impact and water consumption. On the other hand, the conventional mortar presented better performance in the stratospheric ozone depletion impact category.

Authoritarian practices between ‘para-coloniality’ and ‘cheap security’: when Chinese state capital meets neoliberal copper mining (and protests) in Las Bambas, Peru

ABSTRACT How does Chinese state capital operate in the neoliberal setting of Peruvian mining? The article tackles this question by focusing on Las Bambas, a large mine in the Andean highlands of Apurimac. We argue that China’s quest for Peruvian copper entwines state capital with neoliberal and authoritarian practices of state violence in a case of ‘para-coloniality.’ This concept explains how Chinese mining operations build on and reproduce the legacies of European colonialism and authoritarian rule under Fujimorismo to extract natural resources from formerly colonized territories. A corollary element in this relationship is that of ‘cheap security’, i.e. the Peruvian state’s practice of legally selling its policing services to mining companies who use them to discipline dissidents. The article draws on Critical Geopolitics, Legal Sociology and Political Ecology and highlights the shifting hierarchies of power that shape conflicts around copper extraction in the Andean highlands of Peru.

Corporate social responsibility strategies beyond the sphere of influence: Cases from the Peruvian mining industry

One of the main causes of social conflicts in the mining industry is the inappropriate distribution of benefits to communities within and beyond the sphere of influence of companies' mining operations. In order to prevent social conflicts, companies are implementing social programs to develop of these communities. The objective of this research is to identify the CSR strategies used by mining companies in the communities beyond their spheres of influence in Peru. With this goal in mind, a qualitative study was carried out using case study methodology and multiple sources of information. The results show that companies progress through a process from using no social responsibility strategy to using the compliance, paternalistic, and finally the multi-actor strategies, depending on the relationship they have with communities beyond the sphere of influence.

Environmental Impact Assessment of Mine Tailings Spill Considering Metallurgical Processes of Gold and Copper Mining: Case Studies in the Andean Countries of Chile and Peru

The generation of tailings in the world today is immense, since only ounces or pounds of metals are extracted for each ton of ore processed. In 2022, it was estimated that more than 14 billion metric tons of mining tailings were produced per year in the world. Currently, many environmental problems associated with tailings management in both Chile and Peru are related to the potential contamination of soil, water, and air. In this article, the environmental impacts caused by tailings storage facility accidents where spills have occurred are analyzed, describing and characterizing: (i) the magnitude of the impacted area, (ii) identification of the sources, i.e., exposure routes, receptors, and (iii) an interpretive analysis of the physicochemical quality of the spilled material, the soil, the water, and the air with respect to local and international regulations. The case studies analyzed in this article correspond to tailings spills derived from the extraction of precious metals (Au, Ag) and heavy metals (Cu, Pb, and Zn) present in the minerals that dominate Chilean and Peruvian mining. Finally, environmental management measures are proposed aimed at mitigating the environmental impacts caused by the spill and remediation alternatives for the sites impacted.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Socio-Environmental Conflicts in Peruvian Mining Company

Corporate social responsibility is an extremely important aspect that every organization should give the proper importance; on the other hand, socio-environmental conflicts should be considered by every company to have an optimal development, which is why the present study proposes the relationship between these two aspects. 
 The objective of this research study was to determine the relationship between corporate social responsibility of the mining company Lincuna S.A. and the socio-environmental conflicts of the inhabitants of the province of Ticapampa, Ancash Region, Peru. The present study is a non-experimental, descriptive correlational study where the statistically determined sample was 332 subjects who answered a questionnaire of 30 questions, 15 about corporate social responsibility and 15 about socio-environmental conflicts.

Emotional subjectivities and the trajectory of a Peruvian mining conflict

The trajectory of socio-environmental conflicts remains difficult to predict. In the case study explored in this article, attention to the emergence of emotional subjectivities helps us better understand the timing of the conflict and the style of contestation at the site. The data are drawn from interviews and observations of the ‘dialogue table’ meetings that took place between representatives from the BarrickGold run Pierina mine in Ancash, a highland area in Peru, and the nearby village of Mataquita to try and resolve a conflict over access to water. The paper identifies three ways that the emotional climate at the site influenced the conflict trajectory. Firstly, it was heightened fear for future water availability and increased feelings of hope that the mining company could be held to account for the hydrosphere disruption that triggered the conflict. Secondly, the Mataquitans tried to elicit feelings of compassion in mining company representatives whilst the company acted to repress them, fearing that they could endanger profit-making at the site. Finally, the inconsistent behaviour of the mining company and their ad hoc Corporate Social Responsibility allocations produced a moral-emotional critique of mine behaviour and a climate of distrust within and between villages. The emotions produced by interactions between actors reduced the likelihood of a more coordinated response to the problems at the site, conveniently serving the agenda of the mine.