Copper mining in peru: Analysis of exogenous and endogenous variables to manage its development

Abstract

Despite having an emerging economy, Peru is one of the main copper producers in the world, sustaining much of its development on the basis of this industry. In this sense, the objective of this research was to analyze the industrial system of copper mining in Peru from its exogenous and endogenous variables. With the help of an exploratory and descriptive design, a structural analysis (French strategic foresight technique) was carried out with the participation of a panel of 20 experts familiar with the mining industry and the MICMAC tool (Matrix of Crossed Impacts and Multiplication Applied to a Classification). The results identified as key variables the attractiveness of investment, socio-environmental conflicts and political management; which represent the exogenous character of the Peruvian copper industry. Variables endogenous to the system, such as productive efficiency, transport logistics, job creation and energy supply; they were characterized as exclusively dependent on the evolution of the aforementioned exogenous variables. This study constitutes an important starting point for the management of possible future scenarios for copper mining in Peru; as well as for investment in its economic, social and environmental development at the local and regional level.