TRAGEDY STRIKES ARTESENAL COAL MINES IN COLOMBIA

UNCLAS BOGOTA 001076 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ENRG ELAB CO SUBJECT: TRAGEDY STRIKES ARTESENAL COAL MINES IN COLOMBIA SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY 1.(U) On February 3rd and 6th, two highly publicized coal explosions occurred in isolated areas of Colombia, resulting in forty deaths. Both are methane gas related in Colombian owned mines. The first occurred in Sardinata, Norte de Santander, causing the deaths of 32 miners, the deadliest mining accident in Colombia in more than ten years. Operations have been suspended pending GOC investigation. The second accident occurred in Gameza, Boyaca, causing the deaths of 8 miners. This mine was unlicensed and the workers had no social security protection. One of the victims was underage (age 16; the minimum legal age to work in mines in Colombia is 18). This mine has been shut down. Both of these mines were locally owned and operated by Colombians -- there was no foreign capital or involvement. ¶2. (SBU) GOC Ministry of Mines and Energy officials told econoffs artesenal mines are very common in the mountainous regions of Santander, Boyaca, and Antioqiua. They are small and difficult to regulate due to their isolated locales and security risks for GOC officials. The relatively minimal output is used locally to generate electricity, provide heating, or local manufacturing. ¶3. (U) The mine in Boyaca was unlicensed and the workers salaries and benefits were not being paid in accordance with Colombian law. One of the victims was 16, well below the 18 year old minimum the law requires to work in mines. 4.(SBU) GOC officials report that illegal mines are on the increase given the rise in coal prices since 2005. INGOEMINAS (the government department within the Ministry of Mines and Energy responsible for all mining matters) estimates that out of the 3000 mines in Colombia, an estimated 1000 operate without permits. With only 50 inspectors for the entire country, INGOEMINAS freely admits that they lack capacity to effectively monitor mine activity. The widespread press attention brought to these incidents has increased attention to the existence of these mines, and their poor labor practices that has generated political pressure for INGEOMINAS to more actively regulate illegal mines. DRUCKER