Pablo Portillo, a construction worker, has lived in Mocoa, Colombia, for four years, valuing the area’s biodiversity and natural beauty. Mocoa, located at the edge of the Amazon rainforest, is home to various species and vital waterways. However, Portillo expresses concern about the potential impact of a planned copper mine by the Canadian firm Copper Giant Resources, which has exploration permits covering over 136,000 hectares in the region.
The mining project is focused on an estimated 2 million tonnes of copper, a metal essential for clean energy technologies. The global demand for copper has surged, with prices reaching significant highs. The International Energy Agency predicts that demand will increase by 30% by 2040, while supply may fall short, exacerbating the need for mineral extraction in places like Mocoa.
Local resistance has emerged regarding the mining initiative, as residents protest the environmental risks associated with such activities. A blockade occurred in Pueblo Viejo, where community members initially demanded road repairs from Copper Giant but subsequently escalated their opposition to the mining project.
The regional environmental authority, CorpoAmazonia, along with the Ministry of Environment, has engaged with protesters, agreeing to evaluate the mining project’s viability. A resolution was issued designating over 93,000 hectares as an area of ecological importance, increasing pressure on the national government regarding mining activities.
Copper Giant has stated that the project remains in its early exploratory phase, and discussions are ongoing about removing protected forest areas from mining concessions. Meanwhile, President Gustavo Petro’s administration has been criticized for promoting mineral extraction while also emphasizing the importance of environmental protection. Critics argue that prioritizing mining in biodiverse regions conflicts with commitments to preserve the Amazon rainforest.
Residents, led by individuals like Portillo, continue to advocate for their land, asserting their intention to protect the area from mining developments. The ongoing debate highlights the tensions between resource extraction and environmental conservation in Colombia.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/oct/13/colombia-clean-energy-without-damaging-amazon-copper-mining