The Peruvian Ministry of Environment (MINAM) Friday issued a public statement rejecting the Congress of the Republic’s approval of Bill 412, which exempts bankrupt mining companies from complying with environmental certifications.

Congressman César Manuel Revilla of the Group Parliamentarian Popular Force presented the bill in October 2021. It establishes special measures for companies in assets restructuring under bankruptcy laws to strengthen environmental management in impacted areas or areas with mining environmental liabilities. After the bill’s text was approved, the Executive Branch raised objections, but it was approved by Congress in plenary.

MINAM is a branch of the Executive Branch of Peru that promotes the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, the enhancement of biological diversity, and environmental quality for the benefit of the people of Peru and the environment.

MINAM strongly rejected Bill 412 within the statement and declared it “unviable since it allows mining companies in a precarious economic situation or bankruptcy to have a legal argument that will affect the health of the population and that does not guarantee the care of the environment.” MINAM called on Congress to re-evaluate the law because it does not guarantee compliance with environmental regulations.