Tía María copper mine permit reinstated after regulatory reversal by MINEM

Peru's Ministry of Energy and Mines quietly reinstated the exploitation permit for Southern Copper's $1.8 billion Tía María copper project in Arequipa region, completing a dramatic regulatory reversal within six weeks. In March 2026, the Mining Council (Resolution 236-2026-MINEM/CM) had revoked the permit citing incomplete technical plans and inadequate tailings management. After a fresh technical review ordered in mid-April, the ministry reauthorized the project — an extreme 'regulatory whiplash' that drew criticism from mining analysts tracking Latin American investment risk. The project, targeting 120,000 tonnes of copper annually, had faced years of community opposition from Tambo Valley farmers over water contamination fears. Southern Copper, a subsidiary of Grupo México, had been 23% complete when the original suspension occurred.