Despite the existence of multiple laws that codify regulations defining environmental crimes, illegal practices in extractive activities tend to occur because rules are not enforced. This study therefore aims to advance explanations as to why there is low effectiveness of enforcement of regulations to tackle environmental crimes in extractive activities. We draw on the law enforcement literature to identify explanations for why environmental enforcement fails to deter illegal practices in extractive activities. We then take up the case of illegal mining in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the region of Madre de Dios (MDD) in the Peruvian Amazon. We evaluate qualitative data from multiple sources including legal documents, reports and interviews. The findings suggest two issues that have shaped low enforcement effectiveness in MDD: conflicts and lack of collaboration among agencies at different levels and sectors of government, and inadequate resource allocation from the national government to other levels. Enforcement is not monolithic in one governmental authority; therefore, it is crucial to recognize and address the existence of multiple levels and sectors of enforcement to improve the effectiveness of enforcement actions. These findings bear implications for theoretical perspectives on enforcement as well as public policies to increase effectiveness of enforcement of environmental regulations.

尽管存在多个将定义环境犯罪的法规编成法律的法律，但由于不执行规则，采掘活动中的非法行为往往会发生。因此，本研究旨在就为何在采掘活动中执行法规来解决环境犯罪的执法效率低下做出解释。我们利用执法文献来确定为什么环境执法未能阻止采掘活动中的非法行为的原因。然后，我们处理秘鲁亚马逊岛Madre de Dios（MDD）地区手工和小规模金矿（ASGM）中的非法采矿案。我们评估来自多种来源的定性数据，包括法律文件，报告和访谈。调查结果表明，两个问题已导致MDD的执法效力低下：各级政府部门之间机构之间的冲突和协作不足，以及中央政府向其他级别的资源分配不足。在一个政府机构中执法不是一成不变的。因此，必须认识到并解决执法的多个层次和部门，以提高执法行动的有效性。这些发现对关于执法以及提高环境法规执行效率的公共政策具有理论意义。认识并解决执法的多个层次和部门对于提高执法行动的有效性至关重要。这些发现对关于执法以及提高环境法规执行效率的公共政策具有理论意义。认识并解决执法的多个层次和部门对于提高执法行动的有效性至关重要。这些发现对关于执法以及提高环境法规执行效率的公共政策具有理论意义。