The export of minerals is one of the main economic activities in Latin America. Photo: Freepik/National Geographic/El Independiente
The world’s main source of minerals is found in South America, specifically in a country that stands out for its abundance of gold, silver, and copper. This country, which encompasses a large portion of its territory, houses one of the largest concentrations of mineral deposits on the planet, making this region an epicenter for the global mining industry.
This country is not only characterized by its mining activity but also by a stable economy and policies that promote private investment in the mining sector. This combination of factors has helped the country rank favorably in global production of precious and base metals, making it an attractive destination for international investors.
This place is the main source of mineral deposits due to its great geological wealth. Photo: South America today
What is the world’s main source of minerals?
The Andes Mountains of Peru are recognized as the world’s leading source of mineral deposits due to its great geological wealth. This imposing mountain range, which stretches for approximately 7,000 kilometers across South America, is rich in various mineral resources, such as gold, silver, zinc, and lithium. Peru benefits greatly from this natural wealth, as it is the world’s second largest producer of silver, copper, and zinc, and the leading producer of gold, zinc, tin, lead, and molybdenum in Latin America.
The formation of this mountain range, which began regarding 65 million years ago, has given rise to a region with abundant mineral deposits. This geological process, the result of the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate, was fundamental to the creation of mountains and volcanoes that contain these valuable resources. The importance of the Andes lies in their mineral wealth, but also in their role in the economy and culture of the Andean peoples.
Can Peru extract these minerals?
Peru has developed a solid infrastructure and capacity for mineral extraction and has positioned itself as a world leader in the mining industry. Leading international companies operate there, taking advantage of the geological potential of the Andes Mountains. The availability of high-quality cadastral and geological information, together with a robust offer of suppliers and a legal framework that favors investment, have made the Peruvian nation a preferred destination for mining investment.
Peru in the top 7 of gold production in the world. Photo: CDN
The export of minerals is one of the main economic activities in Peru. The country has free trade agreements with important global markets such as the United States, China, Canada, and the European Union, which facilitate access to these markets for their mining products. Projected investments in mining exploration and exploitation exceed US$58 billion, with notable projects in regions such as Cusco, Cajamarca, and Arequipa. This solid economic and legal foundation ensures that Peruvians continue to be a key player in the global minerals market.
Peru and Mexico lead the world in silver production. Photo: CDN
Peru and Chile lead the world in copper production. Photo: CDN
Which other countries produce the most minerals in the world?
At a global level, in addition to Peru, other countries stand out for their mining production. China, Australia, Russia, and the United States are some of the major mineral producers. The Chinese nation, in particular, is a giant in the production of a wide variety of metals. The Australians and Russians also have several mineral resources and a developed infrastructure for the extraction and export of these resources.
In Latin America, Chile and Brazil are important mineral producers. The former is known for being the world’s largest producer of copper, while the Brazilian nation stands out for its production of iron and other metals. These countries, along with Peru, are part of a select group of nations that play a crucial role in the global supply of minerals, necessary for industry and technological development.
Which South American country exports the most illegal gold to the world?
Peru leads the export of illegal gold in South America and surpasses other countries such as Colombia and Bolivia. The figures of the Peruvian Institute of Economics (IPE) indicate that illegal gold exports reached US$4.833 billion in 2023. This increase is due to several factors, including the rise in the price of gold per gram, which has multiplied sevenfold since 2000, and the growing demand from international markets.
Peru’s illegal gold exports allow it to surpass legal gold exports made by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela combined. Chart: Ojo Público.
The Swiss criminologist Mark Pieth, in his book ‘Gold panning’, details how Peru’s illegal gold reaches refineries in Switzerland, responsible for 70% of the world’s gold refining. Illegal mining in Peru has serious environmental and social implications, especially in regions such as Madre de Dios, where deforestation and mercury pollution are critical problems.
Since 2021, Peru has had 13 interior ministers, which has made it difficult to implement continuous and effective policies once morest illegal mining. The lack of international coordination has also allowed illegal gold to flow freely across borders, with neighboring countries such as Bolivia, which facilitates the smuggling of chemical inputs necessary for gold extraction.
In this context, the export of illegal gold allows Peru to surpass the legal gold exports made by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela combined. According to the report, an increasingly smaller portion of the exported gold is destined for the USA and Swiss, with the majority going to India and the United Arab Emirates.
The South American nation exports 44% of the region’s illegal gold. Graphic: Ojo Público.
India and the United Arab Emirates are the main destinations for illegal Peruvian gold
India and the United Arab Emirates have become the main destinations for illegal Peruvian gold. According to investigations by Public Eye, many companies in these countries buy gold from Peruvian suppliers linked to illegal mining and money laundering. This gold is extracted illegally in the Peruvian Amazon, transported to Lima, and then exported with falsified documentation.
In the case of India, companies like Kundan Care Products Ltd. and Kundan Refinery Private Ltd. have been accused of receiving gold from suppliers linked to illegal mining, as well as money laundering. On the part of the United Arab Emirates, this type of export has increased since 2014.
Which countries have the largest silver reserves?
- Peru (98,000 tons)
- Australia (92,000 tons)
- China (71,000 tons)
- Poland (65,000 tonnes).
The Andes Mountains: The World’s Main Source of Minerals
The export of minerals is one of the main economic activities in Latin America. Photo: Freepik/National Geographic/El Independiente
The main source of minerals in the world is found in South America, specifically in a country that stands out for its abundance in gold, silver and copper. This place, which crosses a large part of the territory of that nation, houses one of the largest concentrations of mineral deposits on the planet, making this region an epicenter of the **world mining**.
This country is characterized not only by its mining activity, but also by its stable economy and its policies that promote private investment in the mining sector. Thanks to this combination of factors, it has managed to **position itself favorably in the global ranking** production of precious and base metals, making it an attractive destination for international investors
This place is the main source of mineral deposits due to its great geological wealth. Photo: South America today
What is the world’s main source of minerals?
The **Andes mountains** of Peru is recognized as the world’s leading source of mineral deposits due to its great geological wealth. This imposing mountain range, which stretches for approximately 7,000 kilometers across South America, is rich in various mineral resources, such as gold, silver, zinc and lithium. In particular, Peru benefits greatly from this natural wealth, as it is the world’s second largest producer of silver, copper and zinc, and the leading producer of gold, zinc, tin, lead and molybdenum in Latin America.
The formation of this mountain range, which began regarding 65 million years ago, has given rise to a region with abundant mineral deposits. This geological process, the result of the subduction of the Nazca plate under the South American plate, was fundamental to the creation of mountains and volcanoes that contain these valuable resources. The importance of the Andes lies in their mineral wealth, but also in their role in the economy and culture of the Andean peoples.
Can Peru extract these minerals?
Peru has developed a solid infrastructure and capacity for mineral extraction, and has positioned itself as **a world leader in the mining industry**. Leading international companies operate there following taking advantage of the geological potential of the Andes Mountains. The availability of high-quality cadastral and geological information, together with a robust offer of suppliers and a legal framework that favors investment, have made the Peruvian nation a preferred destination for mining investment.
Peru in the top 7 of gold production in the world. Photo: CDN
The export of minerals is one of the main economic activities in Peru. The country has free trade agreements with **important global markets such as the United States, China, Canada and the European Union**, which facilitates access to these markets for their mining products. Projected investments in mining exploration and exploitation exceed US$58 billion, with notable projects in regions such as **Cusco, Cajamarca and Arequipa**. This solid economic and legal foundation ensures that Peruvians continue to be a key player in the global minerals market.
Peru and Mexico lead the world in silver production. Photo: CDN
Peru and Chile lead the world in copper production. Photo: CDN
Which other countries produce the most minerals in the world?
At a global level, in addition to Peru, other countries stand out for their mining production. **China, Australia, Russia and the United States** are some of the major mineral producers. The Chinese nation, in particular, is a giant in the production of a wide variety of metals. The Australians and Russians also have several mineral resources and a developed infrastructure for the extraction and export of these resources.
In Latin America, Chile and Brazil are important mineral producers. The former is known for being the world’s largest producer of copper, while the Brazilian nation stands out for its production of iron and other metals. These countries, along with Peru, are part of a select group of nations that play a crucial role in the global supply of minerals, necessary for industry and technological development.
Which South American country exports the most illegal gold to the world?
Peru leads the export of illegal gold in South America and surpasses other countries such as Colombia and Bolivia. The figures of the **Peruvian Institute of Economics (IPE)** indicate that illegal gold exports reached US$4.833 billion in 2023. This increase is due to several factors, including the rise in the price of gold per gram, which has multiplied sevenfold since 2000, and the growing demand from international markets.
Peru’s illegal gold exports allow it to surpass legal gold exports made by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela combined. Chart: Ojo Público.
The Swiss criminologist **Mark Pieth**, in his book **’Gold panning’**, details how Peru’s illegal gold reaches refineries in Switzerland, responsible for 70% of the world’s gold refining. Illegal mining in Peru has serious environmental and social implications, especially in regions such as Madre de Dios, where deforestation and mercury pollution are critical problems.
Since 2021, **Peru** had 13 interior ministers, which made it difficult to implement continuous and effective policies once morest illegal mining. The lack of international coordination also allowed illegal gold to flow freely across borders, with neighboring countries such as **Bolivia**, which facilitates the smuggling of chemical inputs necessary for gold extraction.
In this context, the export of illegal gold allows Peru to surpass the legal gold exports made by Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela combined. According to the report, an increasingly smaller portion of the exported gold is destined for **USA** y **Swiss**, with the majority going to India and the United Arab Emirates.
The South American nation exports 44% of the region’s illegal gold. Graphic: Ojo Público.
India and the United Arab Emirates are the main destinations for illegal Peruvian gold
India and the United Arab Emirates became the main destinations for illegal Peruvian gold. According to investigations by **Public Eye**, many companies in these countries buy gold from Peruvian suppliers linked to illegal mining and money laundering. This gold is extracted illegally in the Peruvian Amazon, transported to Lima and then exported with falsified documentation.
In the case of India, companies like **Kundan Care Products Ltd.** y **Kundan Refinery Private Ltd.** have been accused of receiving gold from suppliers linked to illegal mining, as well as money laundering. On the part of the United Arab Emirates, this type of export has increased since 2014.
Which countries have the largest silver reserves?
| País | Reservas de plata (toneladas) |
|---|---|
| Peru | 98,000 |
| Australia | 92,000 |
| China | 71,000 |
| Poland | 65,000 |
