In April, Colombia will launch a tender for coal exploration permits

Colombia plans to hold two rounds of bidding – one for gold and one for coal exploration contracts – by the end of June – as part of
ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's mining industry.

At the ELAMI mining conference this week, Juan Miguel Durán, president of the National Mining Association ANM, said the first round of bids would be launched this month and would focus on coal assets
.

The official noted that the government will prioritize proposals
that include economic diversification, social management and financing schemes for forestry projects.

The authorities added that no date has been set for the gold project tender, but it is expected to take place
before the end of June.

Colombia currently has 1,073 copper mines, of which 541,630 hectares are under exploitation and 32,900 hectares are under exploration
, according to the association.
In terms of strategic and reserved areas, the agency has set aside 14,776 hectares for copper mining, while 2.
38 million hectares have been marked as potential
.

The South American country has 2,069 gold mines, with more than 1 million hectares of mining operations and 755,418 hectares of exploration area
.

Mining accounts for 24% of Colombia's exports, 11% of foreign direct investment and 1.
3%
of GDP.

The country's main export after oil is coal, making it the largest fossil fuel producer in Latin America
.

While Colombia is far from being a major player in the global mining market, it is the sixth largest copper exporter in the region and has even greater
potential.

The country is located at the northern end of the Pacific Copper Belt, which starts in Panama and ends in Chile
, the world's largest producer of metals.

The government is currently accepting applications from companies to bid for copper licences in blocks 2 and 15, which are part of
the designated strategic areas, by April 13.

Colombia opened five copper mining areas for tender
in early 2021.
In September, local mining company Carbomas SAS was awarded a 30-year
contract for exploration and copper production.

Located in the provinces of Cesar and La Guajira on the Caribbean coast, these lands have the largest coal reserves in Colombia, producing more than
90% of the country's total coal production.

The country currently produces only about 10,000 tonnes of red metal per year, and there is only one mine – the Atico Mining (TSX-V: ATY) El Roble mine in the Choco division
.

Colombia is also rich in emeralds
.