Miners steel themselves for tough talks with Peru’s leftist government

Castillo government wants mining companies to pay more towards improving conditions for the poor

Gideon Long in Lima

On his desk in Lima, Peru’s mining minister Iván Merino has a list of criteria that mining companies must meet if they want to continue operating under the new leftwing government of President Pedro Castillo.

Some relate to economic matters, others to environmental regulations, labour laws and community relations.

“If you meet each requirement, you get a tick,” Merino says, putting his thumb and forefinger together and tracing a check mark through the air. “If you count up your ticks and meet all the requirements then not only will we allow you to work here but we’ll support you.”