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• The roundtable “The challenge of transforming resources into development” emphasized that the main challenge for mining is to convert economic growth into tangible benefits for communities, through greater local business development, employment, training, and better public management.
  

Lima, May 28, 2026. Peruvian mining faces the challenge of transforming its economic potential into tangible development for communities in mining areas by strengthening local suppliers, building productive capacity, and improving collaboration between companies, the government, and communities. This was the conclusion reached by panelists during the roundtable discussion “The Challenge of Transforming Resources into Development,” held on the second day of the SIMPOSIO – XVI International Mining Meeting, organized by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy (SNMPE).

The panel, moderated by Claudia Cooper, Vice President of Sustainability and External Affairs at Antamina, brought together Carlos Castro, Corporate Affairs Manager for South America at Glencore; Rodrigo Darquea, Head of Corporate Affairs Growth LATAM at BHP; Steven Botts, VP of Sustainability at Triple Flag Precious Metals; and Giofianni Peirano, President of the Board of Directors of CEPLAN.

During the debate, experts concurred that a primary challenge for the sector is the full integration of communities into the economic activities generated by mining. Rodrigo Darquea explained that mining competitiveness is no longer solely reliant on geological or regulatory factors; it also hinges on the capacity to establish sustainable relationships with the territory and create tangible economic opportunities for local populations.

In this context, he highlighted that BHP allocated US$3.2 billion to local suppliers over the past year as part of a strategy designed to strengthen regional value chains and enhance business capabilities in mining areas. “This is not achieved merely by hiring suppliers. It involves identifying gaps, developing capabilities, and supporting local companies in their growth,” he stated. Darquea further noted that integrating local suppliers fosters an alignment of interests between mining operations and the surrounding region.

Carlos Castro added that the true economic impact of mining extends well beyond direct employment and encompasses the entire value chain, including transportation, logistics, services, contractors, and suppliers. “The objective should not only be to engage local suppliers but to cultivate them into competitive, long-term partners capable of serving other industries as well,” he stated.

Along these lines, Steven Botts stated that mining companies must take a more active role in developing local skills, especially in closing gaps in technical and business training. “Local economic inclusion is not optional; it is part of the sustainability of the operation,” he noted.

The executive explained that many communities near modern mining operations aspire to participate in that economy, but face limitations in training and access to the technical standards required by the industry.

From the public sector, Giofianni Peirano noted that planning and competitiveness tools are established for 2050, but he cautioned that the primary issue is the limited management and execution capacity of subnational governments. Evidence of this is that approximately 65% of projects financed with mining royalties are stalled. “The main problem is not a lack of resources, but rather the low efficiency of public spending,” he stated.

Participants agreed that mining must assume a more active role in strengthening its value chain with an emphasis on local suppliers and on generating productive capacities in mining areas.

Photos are available at the following link: https://flickr.com/photos/195630249@N08