Herencias Tóxicas de los Pasivos Ambientales Derivados por la Actividad Minera

In the past, the Peruvian State has played a leading role in the global mining industry, strengthening its role as the main driver of national economic development. However, this action has left a deep environmental footprint reflected in the distribution of environmental liabilities (EPLs), such as toxic waste, residual infrastructure, and the persistent deterioration of the land surface. Heavy metal enrichment, such as Hg, Pb, and As, poses a critical risk to public well-being as well as to the environment, as they are non-bioseparable in nature and have a bioaccumulation capacity. Similarly, illegal mining, especially in sensitive regions such as Madre de Dios, exacerbates the environmental crisis through deforestation, hydrological changes, and the arbitrary use of chemicals. This study, based on bibliographic and comparative analysis, analyzes regulatory signs, a successful national and international practice, to identify repeatable strategies in the Peruvian context. This is facilitated by an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to environmental cleanup through site and off-site technologies, as well as efficient and involved environmental management. The introduction of environmental impact assessments (IAs) and transparent accountability are essential to promoting sustainable and socially responsible mining.