Earlier this week, Colombia’s lesser-known leftist guerrilla
group, the ELN, attacked
the country’s Transandino pipeline. The attack resulted in a fire that caused
the pipeline to be shutdown for repairs. The report explained that the ELN had
initiated a series of attacks in an effort to force the Colombian government to
the negotiating table.
This is a tactic that the FARC has used to great success.
Earlier in 2015, when it seemed that the Colombian government’s peace
negotiations with the FARC might never reach a positive conclusion, the FARC
engaged in systematic attacks against Colombia’s oil infrastructure. Given
Colombia’s geography, it is almost impossible to defend against these
asymmetrical attacks, and they demonstrate that although the guerrilla groups’
power might be diminished, they still can cause damage.
In mining-related news, South African mining company Anglo
American, a 33% owner of Colombia’s massive Cerrejón coal mining project, is
looking to divest
itself of its global coal holdings. In a cost-cutting measure and strategic
reorientation, Anglo American has decided to refocus on diamonds, copper, and
platinum. Nonetheless, it will be hard for Cerrejón to sell its stake, given
the difficult situation in the global coal industry.
In other mining-related news, El
Espectador reported on a study by the Caucaseco Scientific Research Center
on a correlation between mining activities and abnormally high malaria levels. Although
incidences of malaria have been falling in the rest of the country, in areas
with either legal or illegal mining, malaria is through the roof. The
investigation blamed the disruption of the ecosystems, turning them into
mosquito-producing factories.
No comments:
Post a Comment