Colombia Approves Extension of Quebradona Copper Mine Exploration Period to December 2027

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 19, the National Mining Agency (ANM) of Colombia officially approved the extension of the exploration phase of AngloGold Ashanti's Quebradona copper-gold project to December 8, 2027, overturning a denial decision made a year earlier.

The Quebradona project, located in the municipalities of Jericó and Támesis in southwestern Antioquia, is a large porphyry copper-gold deposit. According to the company's previous disclosures, the project holds ore reserves of approximately 140 million tonnes, containing about 960,000 tonnes of copper and approximately 2.3 million ounces of gold, with an initial estimated development investment of around $2 billion. Since exploration began in the early 2010s, the project has faced multiple suspensions due to community opposition and environmental controversies.

In November 2025, the ANM initially denied the exploration permit extension application, citing "lack of progress on the environmental impact assessment" and "weak relations with local communities," which was at the time interpreted as signaling a risk of the project being shelved. In its latest resolution, the ANM stated that the new decision aims to "promote responsible mining, create jobs, and attract investment," but attached strict compliance conditions.

According to the resolution issued by the ANM, AngloGold Ashanti must complete three core tasks during the extension period: first, conduct supplementary geological and environmental studies to precisely understand the region's hydrological and ecological characteristics; second, develop and submit a communication strategy targeting the communities of Jericó and Támesis to ensure information transparency; and third, periodically report exploration progress to the ANM and accept real-time supervision. The ANM explicitly stated that if the company fails to fulfill the above obligations within the agreed timeframe, the permit may be revoked at any time.

The local citizens' group "Quebradona No," which has long opposed the project, criticized the decision on social media for "ignoring community will and water source risks," demanding that the government disclose all environmental impact assessment data. The Mayor's Office of Jericó has not yet made an official statement, but has previously expressed concerns about the project's potential impact on water sources in the coffee-growing region. AngloGold Ashanti has not yet publicly responded to the conditions attached to the extension.

The ANM stated that it will continue to track the project's progress. After the exploration phase concludes, the company must separately apply for a construction permit before entering the development phase. This extension does not change the project's legal status as still being in the early exploration stage.