Peru Permits Mining Near Formerly Protected Nazca Lines

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    BOGOTA, Colombia — On Tuesday, the Peruvian government revealed that miners, previously operating unlawfully within a protected archaeological reserve around the renowned Nazca Lines, can now embark on obtaining official mining permits. This follows the government’s decision to shrink the protected zone by 42%.

    Jorge Montero, the Minister of Energy and Mines, stated that miners in the area are now required to legalize their operations since the territory no longer holds the status of archaeological heritage. “Operating where mining is prohibited renders you entirely illegal… however, with the removal of the cultural heritage restriction, they no longer breach any regulations; therefore, formalizing their operations will now be necessary,” explained Montero during a press conference in Lima aimed at foreign correspondents.

    While the government has yet to determine the exact number of miners currently engaging in activities within this area, the region remains part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This site is renowned for the ancient Nazca Lines, grand geoglyphs crafted into the desert landscape millennia ago, residing amidst one of Peru’s most delicate desert ecosystems.

    In a measure enacted last week, the Ministry of Culture issued a resolution to cut back the protected vicinity around the Nazca Lines by 2,397 square kilometers (925 square miles). Initially established in 1993, the reserve later measured 5,633 square kilometers (2,175 square miles) by 2004.

    Cesar Ipenza, a Peruvian environmental lawyer, expressed disapproval, stating, “It’s incredible how the government disregards our ancestral heritage, leaving it vulnerable and at risk of destruction without oversight.” Ipenza emphasized the significant environmental impacts miners could cause, stressing their lack of accountability. “With the area now open, mining petitions are already surfacing,” he remarked.

    Fabricio Valencia, the Culture Minister, clarified that the decrease followed “over 20 years of comprehensive studies,” affirming that the actual archaeological reserve encompasses approximately 3,200 square kilometers (1,235 square miles). On local media, Valencia acknowledged past mining activity within the reserve. He noted that the UNESCO World Heritage site housing the Nazca Lines, spanning about 450 square kilometers (174 square miles), remains unaffected by the adjustments.

    An evaluation of the resolution did not disclose specific justifications for the protected area’s reduction. Inquiries regarding those studies remained unanswered, and UNESCO indicated they had not received any notification from Peru regarding the changes. UNESCO will seek out further information from the Peruvian government.

    Historically, reports from Peru’s Culture Ministry, prosecutors, and media have highlighted incidents of illegal mining within the safeguarded reserve, including efforts to dismantle mining machinery and camps.