UNSA and University of Colorado Are Considering a Co-Research Project on Critical Minerals in Caravelí

• The province of Arequipa is an area rich in black sands and strategic minerals.

Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (Peru) and the Colorado School of Mines (the U.S.) are considering conducting a co-research project for the exploration, exploitation, and potential production of critical minerals in Caravelí, Arequipa.

This was revealed by Henry Polanco, the vice-rector of research at UNSA, during the latest edition of Rumbo a PERUMIN “Contribution of Mining to the Region of Arequipa,” organized by the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers in the context of PERUMIN 36.

Polanco pointed out that Caravelí “is an area rich in black sands and strategic minerals.” The latter are used to manufacture electronics, batteries for electric vehicles, renewable energy devices, military and aerospace equipment, etc.

The Caravelí province is precisely where the Pampa de Pongo iron ore project is located. This mine has mineral resources totaling 3.4 billion tons (Tn) of massive mineral with a Fe grade of 39.2%, Cu grade of 0.10%, and Au grade of 0.03 g/t.

Caravelí is also home to the exploration projects Los Chapitos and Oasis, whose respective environmental management plans are currently under review. Similarly, the environmental management plans of projects Lourdes and Paraíso, both either actively conducting or planning exploration work, are also under review, as reported by the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MINEM). 

“Once this co-research project is completed, we will submit the results to the decision-makers so that we can begin a much more engaging work with our communities,” said the experienced metallurgical engineer. 

Moreover, he said that resources from fiscal redistribution (canon minero) will be used to finance said project, in strict compliance with Law 27506. This law enables the allocation of funds exclusively for investment in scientific and technological research aimed at boosting regional development.

New Research Center in 18 months

On the other hand, Henry Polanco reported that Universidad Nacional de San Agustín and Southern Peru have signed an agreement for building an applied research center and a specialized laboratory in the Biomedical Sciences Department, with an investment of S/. 45 million.

“This work is important for us because it will be completed in 18 months. This does not occur with many public works, which either take many years to be completed or do not get completed at all. We should be applying this type of strategy at all levels,” he stated.

Willing to Support Planning

Finally, the vice-rector of the UNSA questioned the fact that planning accounts for over 30% of public spending. This indicates that there is a lack of planning experts in ministries, regional governments, and district municipalities. 

“Our university has offered district municipalities planning support in preparing technical files that will allow for works to be completed sticking to set schedules and budgets,” he added.