The recent decision by Peru’s Government to reduce the protected zone around the Nazca Lines from 5,600km² to 3,200km² has raised concerns about the potential threat to the ancient geoglyphs from nearby mining operations, according to a Reuters report.
The Nazca Lines, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are now more vulnerable due to this significant reduction in their protected status.
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According to Peru’s Culture Ministry, the decision was based on studies that more accurately identified areas of “real patrimonial value”.
The Nazca Lines, more than 800 large desert etchings located south of Lima, are over 1,500 years old and considered to be one of the country’s most important cultural treasures.
Data from the Energy and Mines Ministry indicates that 362 small-scale gold miners are operating in the Nazca district under a programme to regularise their status.
Despite previous actions against illegal mining, the threat persists.
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By GlobalDataPieter Van Dalen, head of Peru’s archaeologists’ association, expressed his disappointment, challenging the government’s rationale and highlighting the difficulty in controlling such a vast area.
With gold prices nearing record highs, the REINFO programme, aimed at regulating small-scale mining, has been criticised for being exploited by illegal miners, sometimes in collusion with criminal gangs.
The programme is due to expire at the end of the year, with authorities working on a replacement to close existing loopholes.
Illegal mining in Peru is a significant concern, generating more than $3bn (10.84bn new sol) annually and surpassing drug trafficking in revenue, according to government estimates.
Energy and Mines Minister Jorge Montero acknowledged the presence of small-scale miners in Nazca and stated that the government is assessing the impact of the reduced protected area on mining activities.
Peru’s gold exports reached $15.5bn in 2024, with illegal sources contributing to around 40% of the total, as per industry data.
Meanwhile, in a separate Reuters report, formal mining operations have reportedly resumed in northern Peru following violence that led to the suspension of activities last month after the murder of 13 gold mine workers by illegal miners.
Furthermore, Defence Minister Walter Astudillo announced the resumption of mining in the northern district of Pataz, emphasizing the sector’s economic importance and the local community’s support for the decision.
A state of emergency has been extended in Pataz, allowing the armed forces to maintain control, and mining activities are now permitted for those with valid permits under the REINFO programme.
