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Yanacocha Mine

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Industrial site
—°1
Yanacocha Mine (Peru)

Weather…

The Yanacocha Mine, located in the Cajamarca Region, is one of the world's largest gold mines and a premier asset for the global precious metals market. Operated by Newmont, the mine sits at high elevations of up to 4,100 meters (13,500 feet) in the northern Andes of Peru. Since starting production in 1993, Yanacocha has produced vast quantities of gold, primarily utilizing heap-leaching technology. The mine is a major pillar of Peru's gold exports, although it has historically been at the center of intense environmental and social debates regarding water resource management. In response to these challenges, the company has invested heavily in community development and environmental monitoring systems. Yanacocha is currently pivoting towards the 'Yanacocha Sulfides' project, targeting copper and gold deposits to extend the operational life of the facility for several more decades. It remains a dominant economic driver for the city and region of Cajamarca.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jul–Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C141414141414141515151514
Rain mm584978542067311394743

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
Yanacocha Mine in the Cajamarca region was once the largest gold mine in South America. It shaped the regional economy and is a significant example of large-scale gold open-pit mining in the Peruvian Andes.
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Visiting
The mine area is closed to the public, but large parts of the open pit are visible from certain viewpoints on the surrounding hills. There are no regular tours; visitation is limited to outside viewing.
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Where to view it
The recommended viewpoint is Mirador Yanacocha on a hill south of the mine, offering a panoramic view over the terraced pits. From the road to Cajamarca you also get a good view of the facilities.
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Local products
Gold is not sold directly here. In the city of Cajamarca, visitors find famous dairy products such as quesillo and manjarblanco, as well as handicrafts reflecting the region's mining tradition, including silver jewelry and textiles.
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Active season
Historically the mine operated year-round, with the dry season from May to October offering the best working conditions at altitude. However, since production ceased, the facility is inactive, with activities limited to maintenance.
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Nearby
A visit to Yanacocha Mine can be combined with the city of Cajamarca, known for its colonial architecture and thermal baths. Nearby archaeological sites such as Cumbe Mayo and the Ventanillas de Otuzco offer cultural highlights.

Geography

Coordinates
-6.97000, -78.50000

Facts

  • Yanacocha officially commenced its mining operations in 1993.
  • The mine is majority-owned and operated by Newmont Corporation.
  • It is recognized as the largest gold mine in South America.
  • The mining complex is situated at altitudes between 3,500 and 4,100 meters.
  • At its peak, the mine produced over 3 million ounces of gold in a single year.
  • The current focus is on the 'Yanacocha Sulfides' project to sustain future production.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

CajamarcaCajamarca5 km · SWExplore →
CumbemayoCumbemayo9 km · SWExplore →
Porcón Farm (Granja Porcón)Porcón Farm (Granja Porcón)15 km · SExplore →
Lagunas Norte MineLagunas Norte Mine37 km · NWExplore →
Virú Asparagus FarmsVirú Asparagus Farms42 km · SWExplore →
Siderperu SteelworksSiderperu Steelworks47 km · WExplore →
MarcahuamachucoMarcahuamachuco51 km · NExplore →
Huaca de la LunaHuaca de la Luna59 km · SWExplore →

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Sights in the town Yanacocha Mine (1)

Yanacocha📍 landmark

Yanacocha is a large gold mine in the Peruvian Andes, near Cajamarca.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Yanacocha?
One of the largest gold mines in South America, located near Cajamarca.
Is it open for tourists?
No, it is an industrial site without tourist infrastructure.
What does Cajamarca offer visitors?
Cajamarca impresses with colonial architecture, hot springs, and Inka ruins.
When should one visit the region?
The dry season from May to September features the best conditions for excursions.
How is the weather in Cajamarca?
A pleasant, mild mountain climate all year round.
Yanacocha Mine: where is it located?
Yanacocha Mine is located in Peru.
Yanacocha Mine: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jul, Sep.
Yanacocha Mine: why is it worth visiting?
The Yanacocha Mine, located in the Cajamarca Region, is one of the world's largest gold mines and a premier asset for the global precious metals market.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Trujillo — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
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Center of the Chimú culture in northern Peru.
Huanchaco — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
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A historic fishing village near Trujillo, world-famous for its traditional reed boats and excellent surfing conditions.
Gualaquiza — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Gualaquiza
Gualaquiza is a charming Amazonian town known for its lush rainforests, rivers, and gold mining history.

History & landmarks

Cumbemayo — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Cumbemayo
An impressive archaeological site known for its pre-Inca aqueducts and the distinctive rock formations 'Los Frailones'.
Cajamarca — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Cajamarca
A historic highland city where the Inca Empire met the Spanish conquerors, famous for its colonial architecture and thermal springs.
Kuélap — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Kuélap
A massive fortress of the Chachapoya culture high in the Andes, often called the 'Machu Picchu of the North'.
Chan Chan — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Chan Chan
The largest pre-Columbian city in South America and the former capital of the Chimú Empire, built entirely of mud bricks.
Chachapoyas — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Chachapoyas
A charming city in the cloud forest, serving as the gateway to the massive Kuélap fortress and Gocta, one of the world's tallest waterfalls.

Nature

Gocta Waterfall — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Gocta Waterfall
Gocta Waterfall is one of the highest in the world and only became known to the western world in 2005.

More places

Porcón Farm (Granja Porcón) — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Porcón Farm (Granja Porcón)
An agricultural project and zoo in the Andes of Cajamarca that reforested a pine forest and houses various animals.
🗺️
Lagunas Norte Mine
An important gold mine in the Andes, located in the La Libertad region.
Virú Asparagus Farms — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Virú Asparagus Farms
A state-of-the-art agricultural coastal area that has made Peru one of the world's top exporters of asparagus.
Siderperu Steelworks — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Siderperu Steelworks
The first steel plant established in Peru, located in the coastal city of Chimbote.
Marcahuamachuco — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Marcahuamachuco
One of the most important archaeological complexes in the northern highlands of Peru from the pre-Inca period.
Huaca de la Luna — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Huaca de la Luna
A Moche ceremonial center famous for its well-preserved, colorful wall reliefs.
Port of Salaverry — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Port of Salaverry
A strategically important port for the La Libertad region, exporting agricultural products and minerals.
Cerro Plateado — Yanacocha Mine (Peru)
Cerro Plateado
A remote biological reserve in the southern Andes known for its pristine ecosystems and high level of endemism.