Colombia is auctioning gold and copper mining projects
A number of larger miners have already prepared their bids.

Mining companies interested in applying for potential exploration and development permits in Colombia should register for several rounds starting Feb. 11 this year, the government said Tuesday as it continues its efforts to diversify mineral production. For a long time, the Andean country has hailed its largely untapped gold and copper deposits, along with other minerals, as the future of its mining industry, especially since the low world market prices have affected coal. "Colombia has significant potential in metal minerals such as gold, silver and copper and now has a different and innovative model to move forward in mineral exploration," said Mining and Energy Minister Diego Mesa in a statement, adding that the country has investors wants to attract high social and environmental standards. "That way, we can confidently determine our mineral wealth to develop new projects and initiate sustainable reactivation that creates jobs and resources like royalties that promote equity and development," added Mesa. Contracts for four areas of potential copper and polymetallic in the northern provinces of La Guajira and Cesar will be offered in the first round, set for Feb.25, the statement said. The Colombian miners who mine coal - the country's second largest export - have suffered from falling demand, low prices and disputes with unions and communities. Colombian coal miner Cerrejon, whose production fell nearly 52% last year due to the coronavirus and a 91-day record strike, said Tuesday that a blockade of its train route by the community is affecting exports, although it had no data on how very.





