Puno has consolidated its position as a key player in Peru's mining sector and stands as a leading region in attracting mining exploration investment nationwide. It includes five projects valued at US$146.2 million, representing 19.3% of the total recorded in the 2026 Mining Exploration Projects Portfolio, the
Standing out for its strong potential in gold, copper, silver, tin, and uranium, Puno shows significant participation in the Second Amendment to the Semi-detailed Environmental Impact Study (2nd MEIAsd) of Minsur's Quenamari tin project, Minem indicated.
Arequipa ranks second as it hosts eight mining exploration projects valued at US$145.1 million.
These include the Fourth Amendment to the Semi-detailed Environmental Impact Study (4th MEIAsd) of the Tambomayo project, the First Amendment to the Environmental Impact Declaration (1st MDIA) of the Iluminadora project, and the 2nd MEIAsd of Los Chapitos.
"These projects, mostly focused on copper and gold, reinforce Arequipa's strategic role in the expansion of the mining sector in southern Peru's highlands, reflecting growing interest in the exploration of strategic minerals, enhancing its attractiveness for future activity and strengthening its impact on the national industry," the ministry stated.
Ayacucho ranks third, accounting for 16.4% of total investment with US$124.1 million across five projects.
Among them, Sombrero, which has a semi-detailed Environmental Impact Study (EIAsd), leads the portfolio with US$106.2 million, Minem noted.
Meanwhile, Apurimac, with an investment of US$102 million, ranks fourth, reaffirming its role as a key region in Peru's copper exploration, a metal essential for the global energy transition and decarbonization.
The ministry added that sustained investment growth in this area reflects interest in strengthening its mining competitiveness and harnessing its geological wealth, supported by the presence of the Andes mountain range.
The remaining investments are distributed across Moquegua, Junin, Cusco, Lima, Pasco, Ancash, Huancavelica, Tacna, Cajamarca, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Piura, and Ica, totaling US$239.6 million. This represents 31.7% of total investment across 39 projects, according to Minem.
"This diversification of investment reaffirms the commitment to expanding and ensuring the sustainability of mining activity in the country," it emphasized.