Peru plans to reinforce its mining sector this year with billions of dollars in investment across several ongoing projects, some of them with a history of environmental damage. The Ministry of Energy and Mines announced it will invest $7.6 billion to expand and improve mining operations that extract zinc, lead, tin, silver, copper and gold. While many of these minerals are critical for the clean energy transition, their extraction has also contributed to pollution and land use change. “Peru currently has exceptional conditions to continue leading the production of strategic minerals, attract new investments and consolidate its position as an indispensable player in the global energy transition,” a statement from the ministry said. Many of the minerals found in Peru are vital for developing batteries, turbines, solar panels and other technology that will lower global carbon emission rates. In recent years, the country has been working to better leverage those resources by establishing new international agreements on energy issues and strengthening the mining sector. The $7.6 billion will mostly go to upgrading infrastructure and operation safety and efficiency at eight mine sites, in some cases extending their lifespans by several years. These include Pampa de Pongo, Cerro Verde and Zafranal mines in the Arequipa region, the Corani mine in the Puno region and the Huarón mine in the Pasco region. Others will expand land use and mineral processing to help increase output. While that contributes to the clean energy market, it also comes with environmental risks. The Huancapetí mine in…This article was originally published on Mongabay

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