2277 ecological gain (Table 1). The reported ecological values for the impacted ecosystems and for the offset areas indicate that the design of measures is consistently aimed at achieving ecological improvement, rather than a simple replacement of area. In wetland (bofedal) ecosystems—which represent most of the cases—the ecological value of the ecosystem to be offset is consistently higher than the pre-impact ecological value, with design-stage estimated ecological gains ranging approximately between 0,8 and 2,15 ecological value units (Table 1). This pattern confirms that offsets are not limited to a superficial replacement of the affected ecosystem but rather seek to improve its functional and structural condition. Table 1. Quantitative results of Environmental Offset Plans in mining projects in Peru (2019–2026) Year IGA Ecosystem Calculated ecological value lost Ecologic al value of the ecosyste m to be offset Gain Area to be offset (ha) 2019 MEIA Antapaccay Wetland 7,13 5,43 1,70 237,35 2019 MEIA Antapaccay Grassland 5,083 2,355 2,728 237,35 2020 Tercera MEIA-d de la UM Constancia Wetland 5,85 3,67 2,18 5,5 2022 Modificación al EIA de Antamina Wetland 4,81 5,61 0,80 92,84 2023 MEIA de la Unidad Económica Administrativa Retamas, Proyecto de Implementación de Nuevos Componentes Minero-Metalúrgicos y Optimización de Procesos Wetland 4,92 5,81 0,89 37,43 2023 Segunda Modificación del Estudio de Impacto Ambiental Detallado de la UM "Inmaculada" Wetland 5,33 4,39 0,94 8,62 2023 MEIA del Proyecto Huancapetí de la Compañía Minera Lincuna Wetland 6,92 4,77 2,15 45,05 2023 Modificación del EIA de la Unidad Minera Colquijirca Wetland 4,24 2,84 1,40 31,77 2024 MEIA San Rafael Wetland 4,75 2,70 2,05 4,15 2024 Tercera Modificación del Estudio de Impacto Ambiental de la UP Tantahuatay Wetland 4,75 4,03 0,72 16,52 5,45 4,03 1,42 16,52 2024 Cuarta Modificación del Estudio de Impacto Ambiental Las Bambas Wetland 5,54 4,36 1,18 58,03 2025 Cuarta Modificación Del EIA-D de La Unidad Minera La Arena Wetland 2,85 4,79 1,94 3,79 2026 EIA Proyecto Trapiche Wetland 4,68 3,76 0,92 47,57 Polylepis Forest 57,50 50,00 7,50 2,68 Chachacomo Forest 74,50 41,00 33,5 10,96 Lake 5,81 0,06 5,75 47 719 m3 Source: SENACE These cases show, at least, that (i) activation of the Environmental Offset Plan (PCA) is being formally required in fragile ecosystems (wetlands) and (ii) there is administrative traceability (approved IGA). However, the public information reviewed does not always make it possible to close the loop toward
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