This article addresses certain issues concerning mining investments in the context of the industry's development in the Peruvian national economy. It presents two cases and identifies the effects of the investments of these mining companies on several economic and social variables, the companies’ community-relationship policies, and related socio-environmental conflicts. A preliminary effort is made to compare and systematize the viewpoints of the companies and other more-critical approaches. Finally, we present some conclusions and implications that may be of use in preparing policy guidelines.