The miners' strike in Boyacá has been lifted: these are the agreements reached

Boyacá miners, departmental authorities, and the National Government reached an agreement to lift the mining strike that had been ongoing in the area for several days. Those still protesting are the department's peasant farmers.

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As reported on the evening of Thursday, August 7, the lifting of the protests was made possible by " recognition of the dignity of small-scale miners and a commitment to actions to ensure a fair and inclusive energy transition ."

Edwin Palma, Minister of Mines and Energy, highlighted that the consultation process had " the active participation of the National Government, local authorities, small-scale miners and community leaders who, with will and honesty, achieved consensus to return to normal ."

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" The Government recognizes the dignity of all people who earn a living in coal mining. They are hard workers who have dedicated their lives to this work ," he added.

Agreements between miners and authorities in Boyacá

Regarding the energy transition, the parties committed to acting with the utmost clarity and precision, agreeing on a future roadmap and working together to develop this process in Boyacá.

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The goal is for the transition plan to include small-scale coal mining and for it to be built " with the participation of the people of Boyacá ."

" We will advance regional productive reconversion plans to prepare coal mining companies, workers, communities, and local authorities. This plan will be based on Boyacá's immense potential in strategic minerals, agribusiness, and tourism, as well as clean energy ," Palma said.

Recognition of 15 small-scale miners in Boyacá was also agreed upon, paving the way for streamlining formalization processes, unblocking red tape , and ensuring this sector's participation in the transition roadmap.

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Following the end of the strike, the government emphasized that it demonstrates that " social dialogue is the most effective tool for resolving conflicts, building bridges that allow for the inclusion and participation of all Colombians, and ensuring peaceful solutions that respect the right to protest ."

PORTFOLIO