The
Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) has presented, through the General Directorate of Promotion and Mining Sustainability (DGPSM), the 2024 Portfolio of Mining Exploration Projects, with 75 projects across 17 regions and a total investment of US$644 million.
The new portfolio aims to explore how to develop potential new exploration areas, as well as to extend the useful life of mines that are currently in operation.
Likewise, the document states that all projects are owned by private sector companies under the general regime (large and medium-scale mining) and cover the exploration of metallic substances.
In this regard, 32 out of the 75 projects on the list are executing or are about to execute their exploration plans, since they already have all required permits (approved environmental management instrument (IGA), concluded prior preliminary consultation, among others), and represent an investment of US$253 million.
On the other hand, a set of 27 projects, which entail an investment of US$263 million (40.9% of the total), have entered the Exploration Authorization Assessment stage.
Meanwhile, as for the last 16 projects, their environmental management instrument (IGA) is currently under evaluation, and they require an investment of US$128 million.
Regarding the type of mineral to be explored, copper tops the list with 40 projects and a total investment of US$254 million, representing 39.4% of the total amount of the exploration portfolio.
Next on the list is gold, including 12 projects and an investment of US$191 million (29.6% of the total); followed by zinc, with 9 projects entailing an investment of US$84 million (13.1%); and silver, with 8 projects and an investment of US$75 million (11.6%).
(END) NDP/CAN/RMB/MVB
Published: 4/9/2024