Published: June 5, 2025
Vice Minister Henry John Luna steps down amid backlash over the repeal of “hereditary Reinfo.”
The Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) has officially announced the departure of Henry John Luna Córdova as Vice Minister of Mines, amid mounting tensions over recent amendments to Peru’s mining formalization regulations.
According to El Peruano, the decision was formalized through Supreme Resolution No. 007-2025-EM, published on June 2, 2025, and signed by President Dina Boluarte and Minister of Energy and Mines Jorge Montero.
While the resolution expresses gratitude for Luna’s service, it does not specify the reasons for his departure. However, it coincides with a wave of controversy surrounding the repeal of the so-called “hereditary Reinfo”—a provision that allowed heirs of deceased mining formalization applicants to assume their registration in the Integral Register of Mining Formalization (Reinfo).
This repeal, led by the Executive Branch, prompted sharp criticism and led to Minister Montero being summoned for a congressional interpellation.
Temporary Appointment to Ensure Continuity
Simultaneously, the ministry named Ronald Isidoro Ibarra Gonzales—currently head of the General Office for Social Management—as interim Vice Minister of Mines. This was formalized via Supreme Resolution No. 008-2025-EM. Ibarra will retain his current role while temporarily assuming this additional responsibility.
The appointment seeks to ensure administrative continuity during a politically sensitive period for the sector.
Controversial Legal Amendments
The leadership shake-up occurs in the context of amendments to Law No. 32213, which governs the Process of Integral Mining Formalization for small-scale and artisanal miners. One major change includes the elimination of the Third Complementary Provision, effectively revoking the right for heirs to inherit Reinfo registrations under certain legal conditions.
The government argued the move was intended to preserve the temporary and exceptional nature of the formalization process. Furthermore, Article 10 of the regulation—allowing Minem to delegate functions to regional governments—was also repealed. The Ministry cited confusion over jurisdictional authority as the primary reason.
New Measures to Improve Oversight
Alongside these repeals, the government introduced a new Complementary Final Provision mandating the creation of a Working Group to develop the Interoperable System for Small-Scale and Artisanal Mining (SIPMMA) within 10 calendar days. The goal is to enhance traceability, oversight, and administrative efficiency across agencies involved in mining formalization.
Critics argue the lack of safeguards and coordination mechanisms in the current legislative drafts could weaken enforcement and increase the risk of informality within the sector.