Lucila H. Ampuero is a formal gold miner from Playa Marta, in Peru’s Madre de Dios region, and one of the many women who play a central role in the region’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector. Her story reflects both the long-standing traditions of gold mining in the Amazon and the slow, demanding transition toward more responsible and formal practices.

In this interview, Lucila shares her personal experience with formalization and the shift away from mercury-based gold extraction. Having worked for years with mercury — as most miners in the region historically have — she explains why she decided to adopt a mercury-free gravity table and what that change has meant for her work, her health, and her sense of pride as a miner. Her reflections reveal both the practical challenges of changing mining practices and the relief that comes with knowing she can continue working without being labeled an environmental polluter.

Beyond technology, Lucila speaks about what mining means to her and her community: the sacrifices involved, the deep connection to the land, and the responsibility of providing dignified work for dozens of families. She also highlights the structural barriers miners face when trying to formalize — from high operating costs to limited institutional support — and why many miners struggle to make the transition, even when they want to.

Lucila’s testimony offers a powerful reminder that responsible mining is not only about technology or regulation, but about people, livelihoods, and long-term visions for life in Madre de Dios.

Can you share your perspective on formalizing your mining operations, especially through techniques that eliminate the use of mercury? 

We have always used mercury in our work, primarily for amalgamating during the processing stage. However, we have never dumped mercury into rivers. We had a specific place for amalgamation, and we recovered that mercury. However, since we didn't have a smelter to melt the gold, we would only take the material to local buyers. There, they would extract 100% of the mercury. I suppose it evaporated there.  

Now, on a global and national level, we miners are closely monitored because we are labeled as environmental polluters. They say one of these pollutants is mercury, contaminating fish, animals, soil, and land. I don't know if that's true, but we also don't want to close ourselves off and continue using mercury. Another disadvantage of using mercury is the cost, which is too high for formal miners. We have always hoped, perhaps coming from the government, for an alternative to the use of mercury. But that never happened.   
 
With the formalization that we have committed to, and thank God, through non-governmental institutions like Prevenir, I have had the grace to implement a gravity table, having the support and technical assistance from the Mining Department. This alternative is a relief, not only for me, but also for many of my fellow miners. We have to defend our work here in Madre de Dios, we cannot allow ourselves to be seen and labeled as illegal or informal miners. The question now is: why don’t miners choose to formalize? Because instead of being encouraged and supported by our country and its authorities, we face many challenges. 

For me, it is very important to be able to have this new perspective and say: "I am no longer an environmental polluter. I can work, and I can work with the gold shaker table”. Perhaps this process requires more time, but it can be done. For me, this represents a big achievement in my work. 

How do you perceive this change in your mining process?  

It’s not complicated. We have this initiative to keep improving, so we use this gravity-based process, which is mercury-free. You can see that the [gold shaker] table is a bit tilted. First, we go through the process of recovering the sand and washing the carpets. [For the next step] we have easily adapted to use the gravity table. The gravity table works with a little motor that shakes the table. This movement makes it easy to select the material. But it also does not separate the gold 100%. For me, it's like a stress reliever. Many times, I have to be there myself, and it doesn't seem difficult for me. It's quite fun. 

What does mining mean to you personally?  

In this entire area, we have always dreamed of addressing the environmental impact, as you can see here. That has always been our dream. As we have committed to, I repeat, remedy the degraded areas affected by our gold extraction. We must address this. It is a significant sacrifice, but this land will always be ours. Perhaps we may no longer work in mining, but we might focus on education instead. Many people from outside areas don’t really understand how gold mining works. They only know about jewelry or raw gold, but they don’t grasp the sacrifice involved in working with gold.  
 
I would like to show how we have developed our mining practices. Before, it was artisanal, done entirely with shovels, picks, and pans using natural and traditional methods. Now, we have advanced using semi-mechanized, more modern techniques, thanks to years of effort. It has not been an overnight change. At some point, I would like to have the opportunity to show the whole world how gold mining works.  
 

Given how demanding the work in mining is and how deeply connected you are to this land, living and working here, would you mind sharing what life is like in mine? 

Ah, life in mining is much like life for any human being—full of ups and downs. Sometimes we find well-formed material and can extract up to 1 kg of gold per wash or 500 to 600 grams per shift. However, there are also places with little material. For example, in these months, we struggle and have a very low income. There are challenging areas, but we cannot abandon them because we need to work in an organized way. Sometimes, we achieve good results, but when production is low, we have to make many sacrifices. 

What keeps us proud is that we provide jobs for many people. Many families depend on us, and it satisfies us to help them put food on their children's plates. The State should not criticize us; on the contrary, it should support us because we help reduce crime. If there were no jobs, where would these people go? Many come from other places and here they have formed security bands and other things. They do it out of lack of work. If we look at our neighboring country, Venezuela, how many Venezuelans are working here? Do you know why? Because suddenly they do not have a job, they do not have income, but they find it in Peru.  

That is, we also help the state so that our inhabitants find work with dignity. We are not stealing; we are not supporting crime or prostitution. The only thing we ask and ask the State for is more support so that our fellow miners are also encouraged to be formal. Many times, it surprises us that there are some who, when they try to work formally, face many challenges. There is, for example, the high cost of the oil, which is not subsidized for us. On the contrary, the price has increased for us, so we have to pay more. Other challenges include the suppliers. When we need items such as iron or equipment, these traders often refuse to provide invoices. But as a responsible company, we still need to keep proper accounting records. 

Interview conducted and written by Julia Cunha