The Peruvian Government has reversed its decision to reduce the protected area around the Nazca Lines, reinstating the original 5,600km² zone, according to a Reuters report.
This move comes after concerns that the reduction exposed the ancient site to the risks of informal mining operations.
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The Nazca Lines, located around 400km south of Lima, are home to more than 800 pre-Hispanic geoglyphs.
These etchings, depicting various animals, plants and geometric shapes, date back more than 1,500 years and were designated UNESCO World Heritage site status in 1994 due to their cultural significance.
The Culture Ministry of Peru announced the immediate restoration of the protected area, which had been reduced to 3,200km² in late May.
The government initially claimed that the decision was informed by studies identifying areas of “real patrimonial value”.
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By GlobalDataA technical panel including government representatives, archaeologists, academics and members of international organisations such as UNESCO will collaborate to reach a consensus on future zoning and land use proposals for the Nazca region.
Small-scale gold mining is prevalent in the Nazca district, with 362 miners operating under a regularisation programme, according to the Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Authorities have been actively combatting illegal mining in the region.
Peru, claimed to be the world’s third-largest copper producer, is also expecting a modest increase in copper production to 2.8 million tonnes (mt) by 2025, with mining investments projected to reach at least $4.8bn (17.5bn new sol).
In 2024, the mining sector in Peru reportedly attracted investments totalling $4.96bn, underscoring its importance to the national economy.
Furthermore, the Peruvian Government has expressed concerns over illegal gold mining, particularly following the recent murder of 13 mine workers in the Pataz region.
