highlighted that the mining sector is the "engine of Peru's economic growth." Therefore, he urged that the country's mineral resources be leveraged.
The high-ranking official noted that there has been a substantial increase in the production of Peru's main minerals in the first half of 2025.
The Cabinet member specified that copper production in Peru increased by 3.6%, silver by 9.3%, and lead by 7.8% in the analyzed period.
In turn, gold production grew by 10.4% last June compared to the same period in 2024.
"Here I must clarify that the increase of over 10% in legal gold production in June clearly reflects this government's policy of combating illegal mining," Montero stated.
"By combating illegal mining, what we are doing is allowing formal companies to work without difficulties arising from this conflict with illegal mining and within an appropriate production framework. The impact on gold production growth exceeds 10%," he explained.
Minister Montero stressed that these advances are "the result of a firm policy to combat illegal mining."
"What we have, then, is an active Peruvian mining sector, with monthly growth in its physical production of gold and other minerals such as copper, zinc, silver, and lead," he added.
Likewise, the government official highlighted the "price effect," which greatly benefits the country as mineral prices rise.
"This is excellent news, and we reiterate once again, as we always do, that the Peruvian mining sector is a growth engine. We have the resources, and we must harness them," he stated.
The head of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) highlighted that copper is the flagship product of Peruvian mining and moreover "a key element for the energy transition and electromobility."
Montero also emphasized that six companies in Peru account for 80% of copper production: Las Bambas, Southern, Cerro Verde, Antamina, Quellaveco, and Chinalco.
"These six companies produce 80% of the copper that Peru exports. Therefore, we have world-class companies fulfilling their role, which is to produce with environmental, social, tax, and labor standards, enriching the country and benefiting the territories where they operate," he explained.
These remarks were made at a press conference following the Council of Ministers session at the Government Palace on Wednesday.