Geothermal Potential For The Decarbonization Of Mining In Peru And The Andean Region: Opportunities And Challenges *E. Gonzales1 1 Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Mines, National University of San Agustín de Arequipa, Arequipa, (*Presenting author: hgonzalesz@unsa.edu.pe) Abstract The energy security of the southern mining corridor of Peru is compromised by the dependence on seasonal water sources and the volatility of fossil fuels, exacerbated by a projected demand that exceeds current supply. This study evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of integrating high-enthalpy geothermal resources from the Southern Volcanic Axis (Zone V) as a Base Load source for mining operations in Arequipa, Moquegua, and Tacna. Through spatial cluster analysis, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) modeling, and a Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), the potential of the Calientes, Tutupaca, and Achumani fields was quantified. The results identify an exploitable reserve exceeding 770 MWe, capable of covering the structural energy gap estimated at >600 MW by the year 2030. The financial analysis yields a competitive LCOE of 65.64 USD/MWh for a 100 MW model plant, with a Plant Factor of 95%, significantly outperforming the resilience of hydroelectric alternatives (MCDA Score: 4.50 vs 3.55). It is concluded that geothermal energy constitutes the only renewable source capable of guaranteeing 24/7 electricity supply and offering direct heat for the optimization of metallurgical processes, decoupling the mining industry from climatic and water risks. Keywords Energy Security; Sustainable Mining; High Enthalpy Geothermal; LCOE; Base Load; 1. INTRODUCTION The global mining industry faces the dual pressure of satisfying the demand for metals for the energy transition while simultaneously decarbonizing its operations and reducing its water footprint (IISD, 2023). In Peru, large-scale mining in the south operates under water stress that has forced a migration towards desalination, creating a "water-energy nexus" that increases demand on an electrical grid (Worley, 2023; BHP, 2020) dependent on hydroelectricity and vulnerable to climate variability (FocusEconomics, 2014). While variable renewable energies have been integrated, their intermittency fails to cover the stable base load required by critical processes such as comminution (Imubit, 2025; Ballantyne & Powell., 2014), forcing the maintenance of fossil fuel backups or incurring high storage costs. In this context, geothermal energy from the Southern Volcanic Axis emerges as a strategic alternative with a potential of 3,000 MWe (INGEMMET, 2021; JICA, 2012) and a Plant Factor exceeding 95%, ideal for industrial stability (ThinkGeoEnergy, 2021). Despite the geographic coincidence with copper deposits, the integration of these resources has been nil, and existing literature is limited to geological exploration (Cruz, 2014) or macroeconomic evaluations (JICA, 2012). There is a significant lack of studies addressing the 127
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