Colombian mining executives are pessimistic about the industry’s future, according to a survey that also included officials from the energy and mines ministry, mining authority ANM and the geological service.
Conducted by development organization Jaime Arteaga y Asociados, the survey found that 46% of the 267 executives asked do not foresee an expansion of their operations in the next five years, while 16% deem an expansion possible.
Of the 260 public authorities surveyed, 57% expect operations to contract and 17% to expand, mainly because the government has taken an anti-mining position. In 2015, the officials saw community opposition as the main hurdle.
“There have been many years where negative projections have been seen, but never at this level. Pessimism among executives is extremely high,” Jaime Arteaga said during the survey presentation.
He added that industry and government seem to abandon dialogue as a mechanism to reach agreements with mining opponents.
In contrast, popular support for mining increased, especially in non-producing regions, and more Colombians believe that mining is necessary for modern life.
A reform of the mining code is underway and a state mining company, announced by President Gustavo Petro, is being created.
The president of mining association ACM, Juan Camilo Nariño, highlighted during the presentation that dialogue around the new mining code is necessary to generate understanding between communities, the government and companies.
Read More: Pessimism reigns in Colombia’s mining sector