The Governments of Peru and Switzerland will sign a memorandum of understanding on responsible mining aimed at strengthening the Peruvian State's capacities and improving public policies regarding artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM).
"The memorandum of understanding we are going to sign with the Ministry of Energy and Mines (of Peru) reflects a shared vision," Swiss Ambassador Paul Garnier announced during the Policy Dialogue for Responsible Mining meeting.
"That memorandum marks the beginning of a new stage of cooperation focused on promoting political dialogue, strengthening the State's capacities, and generating technical evidence to improve public policies surrounding artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM)," he added.
The diplomat noted that the presentation of the MOU represents a roadmap for advancing toward formal, productive, and responsible ASM.
"The document, prepared within the framework of the Peru Debate 2026 project, with the participation of the private sector and academia, aims to create a space for technical dialogue looking ahead to the 2026–2031 period," Garnier indicated.
"In the end, the underlying question is clear: what mining model does Peru want for the coming years? Switzerland does not intend to impose answers, but rather to make its experience available, facilitate spaces for exchange, and help bring positions closer among stakeholders who often do not have enough opportunities to build consensus," he added.
Potential market
The ambassador indicated that Switzerland imports around US$2.5 billion worth of gold from Peru, but artisanal and small-scale mining still has a limited share.
"There is potential market demand in Switzerland for artisanal and small-scale mining, although that alone is not enough. Without enabling conditions, clear regulations, adequate incentives, solid institutions, and effective support, formalization does not take place and market efforts fail to scale up," he stated.
The diplomat highlighted that Switzerland occupies a central place in gold refining and trading chains, as it uses the metal to supply its domestic market and for subsequent distribution to other global destinations.
"With that position also comes a responsibility: to help ensure that gold is produced in a responsible, transparent, and traceable manner," Garnier stated.
"From Switzerland, we are convinced that responsible mining is not only an environmental or social aspiration, it is also a condition for competitiveness, access to international markets, and trust in institutions," he concluded.