The Energy and Mines Commission of the Bicameral Congress summoned the Minister of Energy and Mines for next Tuesday, October 27, Guillermo Shinnowith the purpose of supporting and explaining the proposal of new Small Mining and Artisanal Mining Law (ASM Law).
The congressional working group, which met this Tuesday morning, is chaired by the deputy of Together for Peru (JP), Yenifer Paredeslinked to the informal miners with whom she has met in her office.
Precisely in the aforementioned session, the representatives of the National Confederation of Small Mining and Artisanal Mining of Peru (Confemin), headed by Máximo Franco Béquer.
The Executive presented the regulatory proposal that seeks to establish a legal framework for the formalization of small and artisanal mining.
The legal proposal proposes to conclude – within a year and a half – with the formalization of the miners registered in the Comprehensive Mining Formalization Registry (Reinfo) and create the so-called National Organization for the Strengthening of Small Mining and Artisanal Mining (FORMAPE), attached to the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem).
ENERGY AND MINES COMMISSION CHAIRED BY YENIFER PAREDES, LINKED TO INFORMAL MINERS.
Summons and agreements
During Tuesday’s session, Paredes Navarro reported that, initially, the Minister of Energy and Mines, Guillermo Shinno, had been summoned to explain the issuance of Supreme Decree 021-2026-EM that modifies the license contract for the export of hydrocarbons from lot 192.
Additionally, the deputy indicated that the same head of Minem had also requested to go to the commission on Friday, October 23, to report the details of the new Small Mining and Artisanal Mining Law (ASM Law).
However, due to Shinno Huamaní’s change in agenda, it was proposed that the minister’s new presentation be next week. The new summons was approved unanimously by 12 votes in favor.
“Consequently, the invitation of Mr. Guillermo Shinno Huamaní, Minister of Energy and Mines, for the ordinary session of our commission, Tuesday, October 27, 2026, has been unanimously approved,” indicated Paredes Navarro.
Minister of Energy and Mines, Guillermo Shinno. (Photo: Minem)
The Vice Minister of Energy and Mines, Mayra Mercedes Figueroa Valderrama, was also invited to the commission session.who was going to report on various topics, including the proposals for the new Legal Framework for Small Mining and Artisanal Mining.”
“This bill establishes two clearly differentiated regimes. The ordinary regime that implies that any natural and legal person can develop mining activity, previously complying with the necessary requirements and having the authorization to start activities (…) and the consolidation regime, closed and temporary for 18 months, where those miners who are registered in the Reinfo would pass, which is like a bridge that allows them to move to the ordinary regime,” said the official.
However, due to a previous issue, his participation was suspended due to the agreement adopted for the presentation of Minister Shinno Huamaní next week.
Previously, the commission approved the request of the deputy for Renovación Popular, Frank Krklec Torres, for the members of the commission to inform if they have any interest or direct family, work or other relationship in relation to people, companies or organizations related to the mining, energy or oil sector.
The proposal was approved unanimously by 13 votes in favor.
Confemin rejects the Executive’s proposal and announces “defense at all ends”
Máximo Franco Béquer, president of the National Confederation of Small Mining and Artisanal Mining of Peru (Confemin) and who was invited to the session of the Energy and Mines Commission of the Bicameral Congress, rejected the new proposal for the Small Mining and Artisanal Mining Law (MAPE Law).
Upon leaving Parliament, the leader assured that the proposal is “subject to economic power.”
Máximo Franco Béquer, president of the National Confederation of Small Mining and Artisanal Mining of Peru (Confemin) was invited by the commission chaired by Yenifer Paredes.
When asked about the measures that his union will adopt, he did not rule out various actions.
“We are going to defend our work in all extremes,” he argued..
According to the leader, the bill presented “does not apply to them” since it would be an “invented law” between “four walls.”
“So, there has to be a law in accordance with reality. For example, we know about this new Law that they (the Executive) have presented because they themselves have taken us to explain it and we have told them that this law does not apply to us,” he argued.
Along these lines, he rejected that the 18-month period proposed by the government to conclude the formalization will have results.
“We have let them know that it does not apply to us because they are telling us to go to the ordinary system, and in the ordinary system we first have to obtain all the permits; and we cannot do that. Why? because we do not have concessions and they will not be able to sign the contract in 18 months, ever. If in 14 years they have not signed it, I assure you that in those 18 months no one will be formalized.”
On October 16, the date on which the Executive sent the proposal for the new MAPE Law to the Bicameral Congress, Confemin sent Circular Letter No. 161 – 2026 – CONFEMIN – PERU / MFB to all its bases “urgently” convening a national meeting of mining leaders and the productive chain, for October 22 and 23, in order to participate and take actions against the “Government Mape Law, “Mining Census and the Bill to Expand the Mining Formalization Process”.
“Likewise, the expiration of the mining formalization process is approaching, a situation that generates uncertainty among thousands of miners nationwide. Therefore, it is essential to meet to evaluate this problem and make joint agreements that allow us to defend our rights and interests and seek concrete solutions for our sector,” the document reads.
CONFEMIN CALLED ITS BASES TO DEBATE ON THE SITUATION OF THE MAPE LAW AND OTHER TOPICS.
