From Barren Pits to Thriving Forests: Peru's Mining Land Restoration

In the Madre de Dios region of Peru, what was once a landscape scarred by illegal gold mining is now becoming a model of environmental restoration and sustainable livelihood development.

The Transformation

Using a combination of native species planting, soil remediation techniques, and agroforestry systems, local communities have transformed degraded mining areas into productive landscapes that support both biodiversity and local economies.

Restoration Techniques

• Biochar soil amendment to neutralize mercury contamination
• Native species reforestation with economic value
• Agroforestry systems combining food crops and timber
• Community-based monitoring and maintenance

The project has created 200 new jobs in forest management and sustainable agriculture, providing alternative livelihoods for former miners.