EPM Says Illegal Mining is Threatening Colombia’s Porce III Hydroelectric Dam

The Administrative Department of Disaster Risk Management of Antioquia (DAGRAN), along with the Municipal Councils for Disaster Risk Management of Anorí and Amalfi, and Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM), have issued a public safety advisory alerting that unauthorized mining activities near the Porce III hydroelectric plant is threatening the safety of nearby communities.

Unauthorized mining operations by unidentified parties on EPM-owned properties within Anorí and Amalfi municipalities have been identified. These activities pose risks to downstream populations along the Porce III discharge area and the Nechí River.

The illicit mining has led to slope instability and compromised the Porce III plant’s infrastructure. Alterations in the Porce River’s dynamics have increased the likelihood of landslides and flash floods, potentially affecting several communities.

Monitoring indicates that these mining activities are also threatening the stability of the Porce III facilities, thereby jeopardizing the nation’s energy security. EPM has initiated legal proceedings against those responsible for the unauthorized mining to safeguard nearby communities and protect the plant’s infrastructure. Contingency measures are being implemented to mitigate identified risks.

To address these critical risks, immediate actions will commence, including the removal of an illegally constructed embankment in the riverbed. This removal may temporarily increase downstream water flow in the Porce River as the river’s hydraulic section is restored. Communities are advised to stay informed through established communication channels—phone calls, WhatsApp groups, and community leaders—for timely updates and safety instructions.

Porce III Hydroelectric Dam. 

Image Credit: EPM, DAGRAN.