Colombian Mines Min. likens illegal mining to drugs

IRJ – November 7 –Colombia’s Mining and Energy Minister, Mauricio Cardenas, told news provider El Tiempo that illegal mining activity in his country “should be given the same treatment as drug trafficking.”

During the interview, Monday, Cardenas likened illegal mining to the drugs trade in respect to its links with criminal armed forces, stating that machinery found at illegally operating mines ought to be confiscated in the same way drugs are seized. In the past, active guerrilla groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) have been known to trade and tax in mining equipment.

Cardenas and newly appointed Minister of Environment, Frank Pearl, have been carrying out numerous meetings to further discussion on modelling for a sustainable mine export industry, as previously requested by President Juan Manuel Santos. There are currently approximately 9,500 mining and energy exploration proposals waiting government decision in the country.

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