The national government announced on March 1 that it carried out 243 operations against illegal mining across the country during January and February of this year. Authorities said these interventions led to the seizure and destruction of assets and supplies used in illegal mining, valued at approximately S/386 million.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to address criminal organizations involved in illicit gold extraction and unauthorized use of machinery. According to the government, Madre de Dios accounted for the largest share of seized assets, with more than S/251 million confiscated during 123 operations in that region. Arequipa followed with 16 operations and over S/19 million in seized goods; Lima conducted seven operations also exceeding S/19 million; Huánuco had 17 operations with more than S/16 million; and La Libertad saw 20 operations resulting in seizures worth over S/10 million.
Officials reported that nearly 80 percent of interventions targeted alluvial mining activities in Madre de Dios. Meanwhile, La Libertad, Lima, and Arequipa led actions against so-called filoniana illegal mining, with a combined value of seized assets surpassing S/41 million.
The Presidency of the Council of Ministers said these actions are part of ongoing efforts to recover areas affected by illegal gold extraction. The government stated that enforcement was carried out under Legislative Decree No. 1100, which authorizes interdiction measures for all confiscated property. These results were achieved through coordinated work between the National Police’s Environmental Directorate, the Navy’s Directorate of Captaincies and Coast Guard, and the Specialized Environmental Prosecutor’s Office.
The government reaffirmed its commitment to continue sustained operations aimed at weakening illegal mining networks and strengthening territorial control in regions most affected by this activity.
