In an exclusive interview with the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), the former CEO of Anglo American highlighted Peru’s strategic role as one of the world’s leading mining jurisdictions.
Lima, June 25, 2026. As part of his participation in the panel “Systems View: Getting More from What We Already Have” at the World Mining Congress 2026, Mark Cutifani said that the industry’s challenge is not only to expand production, but also to remove the structural bottlenecks that delay the development of new projects and limit the potential of existing operations.
In an exclusive interview with the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP), the former CEO of Anglo American identified three key priorities that must be addressed with urgency.
Cutifani emphasized that permitting processes and engagement with local communities remain the industry’s main source of delays.
“We must ensure that our permitting processes and the way we engage with local communities minimize delays while also delivering the right outcomes for those communities. This has been one of the industry’s key challenges over the past 20 years,” he told the IIMP.
The second priority is optimizing existing operations. “We need people focused on new ways of working and new technologies that enable us to optimize current operations and extend the life of existing assets,” said the current Director at Odin Partnership.
The third priority is innovation as a driver of productivity. “Our mines are becoming deeper and more complex, and we are mining lower-grade ores. That is why technological innovation will be essential to improving productivity in the face of this growing complexity.”
An Industry That Must Learn to Work Together
Cutifani also emphasized the need to strengthen collaboration among governments, industry, and academia, noting that the lack of coordination continues to hinder progress.
“I believe the complexity lies in the fact that each stakeholder has its own perspective on its role, and we are not connecting our capabilities well enough to work together effectively. If we collaborated more closely, we could address common challenges and reach solutions much more quickly,” he told the IIMP.
He added that stronger cooperation would also promote regulatory stability and greater confidence for investment.
“This applies both to innovation and to public policy design, helping to avoid constant changes to the rules and creating the confidence needed to work together and achieve the outcomes we are seeking.”
Peru’s Role in Global Mining
Referring to the host country of the congress, Cutifani highlighted Peru’s position on the global mining map and the importance of seizing this historic opportunity.
“The World Mining Congress in Peru is a tremendous opportunity for the country. Peru is one of the world’s great mining jurisdictions. We have faced challenges in the past, but if we can learn from one another, work with local communities, and collaborate with government, there will be no limits to our potential,” he concluded.