4th Annual Colombia Gold Symposium Solidifies Its Position As Most Important Gold & Copper Event For Colombia & Ecuador
The 2019 Colombia Gold Symposium was held once again last week from November 12-13 in Medellín’s Hotel San Fernando Plaza. The unique event brings together each year investors, operators, explorers and service providers in the gold, silver and copper mining sector across Colombia and Ecuador.
Paul Harris is publisher of Colombia Gold Letter and organizer of Colombia Gold Symposium
The event, now in its 4th year is organized by Paul Harris, the publisher of The Colombia Gold Letter, the only publication exclusively focused on gold and copper mining across Colombia and Ecuador. (Click here to subscribe to The Colombia Gold Letter). According to Harris: “There were events, there were conferences, but they never gave any space or time to the projects. In the end the projects are what it’s all about. The projects generate employment, the projects generate wealth. And none of the events gave space to the projects to talk about what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how they are doing it. I saw that as an opportunity.”
The two-day event featured a broad range of experts covering regulatory aspects, political and security considerations, environmental and social concerns, projects, investments, and the latest in techniques and technology.
“50-60% of the attendees are Colombian, the rest are worldwide. It really is becoming a regional event, which is good, that’s the intent,” said Harris. “There are a lot of corporates, I mean the bigger mining companies who re keeping tabs on who’s doing what and how they are progressing with an eye on potential acquisitions. We do get people from the investment community who write checks for the exploration companies. The majority of people are in the exploration companies, and the service companies that supply that group. The technical service providers, drilling companies, assay companies. The government of course, as well.”
Sergio Guzmán of Colombia Risk Analysis
Sergio Guzmán of Colombia Risk Analysis gave his take on the current political environment and how that affects the sector. Javier Cordoba, Ecuador’s former minister of mining gave a keynote on creating an investment friendly regulatory regime. Ambassador Sophie Davies of Australia moderated a panel on innovation and interconnectivity of mining assets.
Silvana Habib president of Colombia’s National Mining Agency was present and gave the opening keynote on developments in Colombia’s mining title registry. Experts also presented from EY, Dentons Cardenas, Baker McKenzie, & GSG Attorneys. Internationally known consultant Dr. Stewart Redwood gave an overview of copper & gold discoveries over the last 50 years in Colombia.
Brigitte Baptiste is rector of EAN University, Bogotá
Brigitte Baptiste, former general director of the Alexander Von Humboldt Institute for Biological Resources Research spoke about how mining companies can be a positive force for environmental conservation, and may consider forming alliances with other industries and economic sectors. Importantly, Baptiste presented statistics that show that regulated mining in Colombia has very little negative environmental impact, unlike unregulated, illegal mining activity. Baptiste is now rector of the EAN University in Bogotá.
Many mining explorers and producers exhibited during the event, including Morocota Gold, Gran Colombia Gold, Continental Gold, Andes Resources / Metminco, and Atico Mining, which hosted a site visit at its El Roble mine in Chocó, Colombia the day after the symposium closed.
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