During a session of the Senate’s Accidental Commission on Mining, Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Andrés Camacho, unveiled key aspects of an upcoming Mining Law that is slated for presentation in the coming weeks.
Camacho disclosed that the forthcoming bill has been shaped by the input of 1,500 participants who convened at the initial National Mining Summit. This summit, convened in late May in Bogotá, provided a platform for various stakeholders to engage in discussions regarding the challenges confronting the mining sector. Particular emphasis was placed on matters pertaining to environmental and social governance, territorial planning, and the practices associated with artisanal and ancestral mining.
In addition to addressing these challenges, Camacho outlined the bill’s primary objectives:
Resource Use Planning: The proposed law will prioritize careful planning for the utilization of mining resources.
Modernizing Colombia’s Mining Model: The bill seeks to modernize the nation’s mining approach to align with contemporary standards and practices.
Transitioning to Productive Economies: It aims to facilitate the transition of the mining sector into more productive and sustainable economic activities.
Protecting Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining: Special attention will be given to safeguarding the interests of artisanal and small-scale miners.
Generating Scientific Knowledge: The bill intends to encourage the development of scientific knowledge in the mining sector.
It’s important to note that this proposed law will not constitute a reform of Colombia’s existing Mining Code. Additionally, it aims to promote the update of the country’s mining cadastre.
The left-wing administration under Gustavo Petro is also planning to review other pertinent legislation to ensure the alignment of environmental and community protection standards. The objective is to provide greater legal certainty to miners.
Andrés Camacho, who assumed office in July, has been entrusted by President Petro with spearheading Colombia’s shift toward a greener economy. Currently, the country heavily relies on coal and oil exports as its primary sources of revenue.