XVI SIMPOSIO: Economic Growth, Competitiveness, And Mining Investment as Its Central Themes
- The event, to be held from May 26 to 28, will bring together business leaders, government authorities, and international experts to discuss the conditions for investment, sustainability, innovation, and a roadmap toward a modern and competitive mining sector.
Lima, March 26, 2026. Economic growth, competitiveness, and mining investment will be the central themes discussed at the SIMPOSIO– XVI International Mining Meeting, organized by the National Society of Mining, Petroleum, and Energy (SNMPE), from May 26 to 28 in Lima. The event will take place in an international backdrop marked by increasing competition for critical minerals and within a dynamic global context that encourages dialogue on more investment, competitiveness, and regulatory stability. In this setting, the event will bring together international leaders, national and international authorities, economists, and social representatives to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the country.
“The SIMPOSIO– XVI International Mining Meeting is taking place at a geopolitical turning point, where mining is moving beyond its traditional role as an economic driver to become a strategic component of nations’ energy security and industrial sovereignty. We aim to link the global debate with the decisions Peru must make today to sustain growth and transform its resources into development”, said Diego Ortega, chair of the Organizing Committee.
This meeting is an opportunity to shift the mining debate toward economic and geopolitical perspectives. To that end, Dambisa Moyo, a renowned global economist and one of the most influential voices on development, investment, and natural resources, will serve as the keynote speaker, delivering a lecture focused on how countries can transform their strategic resources into sustainable growth and a competitive advantage. Afterwards, she will engage in a dialogue with renowned Peruvian economists: Diego Macera and Carolina Trivelli.
Following the program, the first day will open with a session dedicated to the outlook and vision for the global mining industry. This session will feature a roundtable discussion with CEOs from leading global mining companies, moderated by Roque Benavides (Compañía de Minas Buenaventura), which will address the main challenges facing investment, business strategy, and competitiveness in mining countries.
In addition, a panel discussion focusing on the main public policy guidelines for the new government will be held. Luis Miguel Castilla, former Minister of Economy and current Executive Director of Videnza, will serve as moderator for the discussion, which will feature Julia Torreblanca, President of the SNMPE; Felipe James, President of the National Society of Industries; David Tuesta, President of the Private Competitiveness Council; and Antonio Cueto, a representative of the World Bank.
The first day of the XVI SIMPOSIO will end with the traditional roundtable of local CEOs, where the top leaders of Peru’s mining companies will discuss strategies to boost production and investment. Participants in this session will include Víctor Gobitz, CEO of Quilla Resources; Raúl Jacob, Vice President of Finance at Southern Peru Copper; Juan Luis Kruger, General Manager of Minsur; and Luis Rivera, Director of Operations for Glencore in Latin America.
Day two will begin with a session titled “Sustainability in the Global Energy Transition: Strategic Implications and Key Decisions,” featuring Joaquín Proenza, a professor at the University of Barcelona, as the keynote speaker.
This will be followed by a technical discussion led by top executives from electricity and mining companies in Peru, Colombia, and Chile on the topic “Reliability and Resilience of the Electrical System: Strategic Pillars for the Development of the Mining Sector and the Country.” This session will open with a presentation by Carlos Batlle of the Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid.
Thibaut Larrat (McKinsey & Company) will open the session titled “Talent Management, Diversity, and Inclusion in Sustainable Mining and Energy Sectors,” followed by a panel discussion moderated by international consultant Priscilla Gomes.
The third day will begin with an in-depth analysis of technology and artificial intelligence led by Diego Montoya, Country Manager for Google Peru & Ecuador. Specialists will focus on describing how artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a key driver of change and development across industries, particularly in the mining sector. In this session, Iván López, Vice President of Value Engineering at BHP, will explain how the integration of AI is helping to improve productivity, efficiency, and decision-making in the mining sector.
Afterwards, two highly anticipated sessions will take place: “Latin America in the Context of Global Competition for Critical Minerals”, presented by Paul Mitchell (EY Global), and “Opportunity and Challenge: Mining Exploration in Peru”, presented by Joe Mazumdar.
Another topic to be addressed at the XVI SIMPOSIO is the impact of illegal economies on human rights. The Institute of Criminology is scheduled to present the findings of a study conducted in high-risk areas of our country.
Finally, Julio Velarde, president of the Central Reserve Bank of Peru, will participate alongside various CEOs from the private banking sector in the session titled “Financing the Country’s Engine of Growth.”
“The XVI SIMPOSIO is taking place at a pivotal moment. We want to contribute to an informed conversation about Peru’s economic future and the role of the formal mining sector”, said Angela Grossheim, executive director of the SNMPE.
