Mining or industrial activity? The Legal Qualification of the Cement Manufacturing Process and the Bet for a Certain Normative Framework that Clarifies the Competences of the Ministry of Energy and Mines and the Ministry of Production

Abstract

Mining or industrial activity? This is not only an ancient question in Peruvian mining sector but a key issue for domestic and foreign private investment on cement. Since few years ago, cement manufacturing process has been being qualified and regulated by the Peruvian Mining Authority as a mining benefit process which implies the obligation to obtain a benefit mining concession previously. However, upon a review of the technical process aspects, the legal framework in force and a recent judgment enacted by the Constitutional Court of Peru regarding this topic, the position traditionally assumed by the Ministry of Energy and Miningcould be reconsidered.