2019 Proceedings Report

Summary of Discussion Sessions
Mining & Energy
Moderator
Mr Fernando Quijano,
Director, La Republica
Colombia’s Mining
and Energy Potential
Speakers
Mr Diego Mesa,
Deputy Minister for Energy, Colombia
Mrs Silvana Habib,
President, National Mining Agency
Mr Carlos Alberto Rodríguez,
General Manager, Colombia, Orica
The Hon Juan Espinal MP,
House of Representatives of Colombia
Mr Demus King,
General Manager Trade and Investment,
Minerals Council of Australia
Mr Ricardo Gaviria Jansa,
President (COL), South 32
Mr Jason Stirbinskis, CEO,
Metminco/Andes Resources
Participants opened the discussion session by highlighting the importance of the
mining and energy sector to Colombia’s economic growth. A brief overview of the
extractive sector in Colombia showed that Colombia’s geological knowledge has
improved significantly, that only 3% of the territory has been conceded or titled and out
of that 3%, only 1% of mining titles have begun their intervention.
Apart from acknowledging that the mining potential is almost intact, participants
noted that other countries in the region have increasingly demanded Colombian
human capital from the extractive industries due to its experience, knowledge and
good practices.
Australia is a Major Player in Colombia
Participants acknowledged that Australian mining companies have long played a
major role in developing Colombia’s mining and energy sector. In particular, Australian
companies have been instrumental in the Colombia’s coal industry. With more than
two decades of presence in the country, and 80% participation on the coal sector, these
companies embody Colombia’s world-class mining standards.
Not only the most representative companies in the global market operate in Colombia,
participants celebrated the launch of the Sustainable Mining Centre of Excellence in
Bogota, Colombia. The centre will focus on managing sustainable development–
focused projects using Australian commercial and research expertise and a mix of
private and public funding.
The Australia-Colombia Dialogue | September 2019 28