Pampa de Pongo Project advances in the evaluation of environmental modification for the start of its operations

By the Institute of Mining Engineers of Peru (IIMP)

During her speech at the Mining Thursday event organized by the Institute of Mining Engineers of Peru (IIMP), Martha Vásquez, Director of Mining Management of the Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem), shared key details about the current status and progress of the Pampa de Pongo project, located in Arequipa.

In this regard, Vásquez highlighted that the iron mining initiative is making progress in the evaluation of its modification of the Environmental Management Instrument (EMA). This step is crucial to allow the mining operation to start and move forward with the corresponding permits.

“Pampa de Pongo is currently evaluating its EMA modification to be enabled and ready to begin activities. This will require a modification of the mining plan because Pampa de Pongo is changing its exploitation method and, in addition, in July we issued a ministerial resolution to ratify its declaration of national interest that allows it to complete its permits to access the surface land, through direct adjudication in the national property superintendence,” said Vásquez.

The Minem official also highlighted that a joint investment of US$3,044 million is expected for the Zafranal and Pampa de Pongo mining projects by 2025, noting that the former is "practically ready" and only awaits business decisions.

About Pampa de Pongo

Pampa de Pongo is a mining project, owned by Jinzhao Mining Perú S.A., located in the Arequipa region, which focuses on the extraction of iron and is valued at US$1,781 million.

Throughout its development, it has had to adjust to the environmental and operational standards required for its full implementation, and is currently undergoing a process of adjustments that will allow it to enter the construction phase next year.

According to the Statistical Bulletin of Minem, it is expected that operations will begin in 2028, thereby generating a total of 1,592 direct jobs for this phase.