BOGOTA (Reuters) – Colombia extended the suspension for receiving new applications for mining concessions until may, when he enters the National Agency for mining operation, to implement improvements in the processes for the award, said the sector regulator.
The Andean country, which crosses by a rise of exploitation and mining and oil exploration, backed by a strong foreign direct investment income, seeks to tighten up the supervision of the sector after accidents that have left dozens dead in the past two years.
“It is considered convenient, from the technical point of view, extend the term of suspension (…)” “for the receipt of proposals for mining concession contract and legalization of traditional mining applications”, said a resolution of the Ministry of mines.
Extension is the latest in a series of suspensions that began in February of last year, explained in the high volume of applications that the Government receives each year, which makes it necessary to have more time to do the technical and legal assessments.
Colombia received 13.234 million dollars last year in foreign direct investment, most concentrated mainly in oil, and mining activities encouraged by the improvement in security conditions after the retreat of the guerrillas for a military offensive supported by United States.
(Report of Nelson Bocanegra); (Edited by Ricardo Figueroa)
