The interests related to mining share are compromising one of the most important archaeological heritage in the world. Beyond 2,000 square kilometers have recently been removed from the protected area of the Archaeological Reserve of Nazcain Peru, opening the way to a wave of requests for mining activities.
According to the data released by the Observatory for illegal mining and related activities in the key areas of biodiversity (Observatory de minería Ilegal y Actividades Vinculadas en áreas claves de biodiversidad), are 165 Recorded requests For mining operations in the area just excluded from legal protection.
Even more worrying is the fact that 58 of these requests have been presented in the days immediately following the entry into force of the standard which changed the extension of the intangible area. Most of the concessions are part of Reinfo (Inteal Register of Formalización Minera), a system strongly criticized by civil society for its opacity and for the controversial role in the legalization of suspected mining activitiesmany of which operate in a destructured way and without respect for the environment or for cultural heritage.
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To an interview with a local broadcaster, the Minister of Peruvian culture Fabricio Valenciacandidly admitted:
We know there are some mining deposits, but I have no exact information on the type of mineral present in that area.
A declaration that raised strong criticisms, especially considering that the Ministry of Culture itself published an official report in 2024 in which it identified the Archaeological Reserve of Nazca as the area most affected by illegal mining in the country.
Desde el omi, exigimos la eliminación de esta legislation que vulnera las líneas de nava. Alertosmos que 58 nuevos …
Posted by Observatorio de Minería Ilegal Perú on Wednesday, June 4, 2025
The risk for the Nazca lines
The affected area includes territories near the famous Nazca linesUNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. These ancient Geoglifi, traced in the desert between 500 BC and 500 AD, represent an invaluable value from the historical, cultural and symbolic point of view. Mining, legal or not, represents a threat aimed at the integrity of this single site, compromising its long -term conservation.
The eraping of the protections coincides with a wider government strategy that tends to Promote the extractive sector as a primary source of national income, often at the expense of environmental and cultural rights. Peru is one of the main world manufacturers of copper, gold and silver and the pressure of the mining lobbies on the government is historically very strong.
