Peru

In 2024, Peru was estimated to be the world’s first-ranked producer of arsenic trioxide, accounting for 49% of global production; second-ranked producer of silver, accounting for 14% of global production, and zinc, accounting for 12%; third-ranked producer of copper, accounting for 12% of global production, lead, accounting for 6%, and tin, accounting for 11%; and fourth-ranked producer of molybdenum, accounting for 15% of global production. Other mineral commodities produced included andalusite, crude borates, cadmium, crude borates, diatomite, gold, iron ore, phosphate rock, and selenium.  

The mineral industry continued to be one of the major contributors to Peru’s gross domestic product (GDP), contributing about 12% to the country’s total GDP. In 2024, the total value of Peru’s mineral exports accounted for 64% of the country’s total exports. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Peru is provided by Supreme Decree No. 014–92–EM, the Ley General de Mineria [General Mining Law]. The Ministerio de Energía y Minas (MEM) oversees the country's mineral industry. The majority of mining operations in Peru were privately owned.