Colombia plans gold and coal mining rounds for H1

Colombia plans to hold two mining rounds in the first half of the year: one for gold and one for coal.

The president of national mining agency ANM, Juan Miguel Durán, said during a presentation during the 2022 Elami mining conference that the data room for the coal round is already open. The round will be launched this month, with emphasis on social context and environment.

It will include a clause to prioritize economic diversification in social management plans and encourage the financing of forestry projects, among other issues.

Durán also announced plans for at least eight business roundtables to bring together investors and miners.

According to ANM, there are 1,073 copper mining titles, 541,630ha being mined, and 32,900ha explored. In strategic areas, 14,776ha are for copper mining, while 2.38Mha (million hectares) in reserved areas are considered having potential. Additionally, the geological service has categorized some 2.6Mha as promising areas capable of hosting copper.

As for gold, there are 2,069 titles, with 1.03Mha being mined and 755,418ha explored. In reserved areas, 2.3Mha are considered having potential and 3.63Mha are in promising areas.

Mining represents 24% of Colombia's exports, 11% of foreign direct investment and 1.3% of GDP.