The acceleration of the energy transition opens a window of opportunity for Peru, which holds copper, silver and other strategic metals. The industry will need to double production and shorten timelines to avoid a critical supply gap.
Lima, February 26, 2026. In a context where the energy transition requires growing volumes of copper and other critical minerals, Peru is positioning itself as a key player in global supply over the next ten years. This was stated by Doris Hiam-Gálvez, Program Chair of the World Mining Congress 2026, during an interview on Rumbo Minero TV.
“Peru has the minerals. We have a strategic role in electrifying our planet,” she said, highlighting that the country concentrates essential resources such as copper and silver, key inputs for renewable energy, power grids, storage systems and electromobility.
The warning, however, is clear: time is working against the industry. Hiam-Gálvez noted that the development of a copper project can take between 20 and 30 years, from exploration to operation. In contrast, the window to close the gap between supply and demand would be barely a decade. “We will face a critical gap between demand and supply starting next year,” she pointed out.
The challenge goes beyond increasing volumes under traditional schemes. According to the Program Chair, the industry is called upon to double its production and cut development times in half, in an environment marked by greater social, environmental and regulatory demands.
A unique advantage
In this scenario, Peru has the opportunity to consolidate itself as a strategic supplier in the new geopolitics of critical minerals. But to capitalize on this position, it will need to strengthen trust, streamline processes and invest in technology that allows productivity and sustainability to improve simultaneously.
“The congress comes at a historic moment. Mining has never been as necessary as it is today. The industry is called upon to provide the minerals that will electrify the planet,” Hiam-Gálvez emphasized.
The World Mining Congress 2026, to be held in Lima from June 24 to 26, will seek to bring together industry leaders to discuss how global mining can respond to this unprecedented pressure. For Peru, as host of the event, the challenge will be to turn its geological potential into effective production capacity in the short and medium term. Early-bird rates are available until March 31 on the official website: https://wmc2026.org/
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