Collective Mining Partners on 600 kWp Solar Project for Guamal Afro-Colombian Community in Caldas

Collective Mining Ltd. (NYSE American: CNL) (TSX: CNL) announced its participation in Colombia’s Comunidades Energéticas (Energy Communities) initiative, backing a community-scale solar power project for the Guamal Afro-Colombian community in the municipality of Supía, Caldas.

The company is partnering with the Guamal Afro-Colombian Community Council, the Gobernación de Caldas (Governor’s Office of Caldas), CorpoCaldas — the regional environmental authority — and the Alcaldía de Supía (Municipality of Supía) to develop the project. Once built, the installation is expected to deliver approximately 600 kilowatts peak (kWp) of solar generation capacity, benefiting about 2,000 residents across 420 households.

Carlos Andres Moreno, President of the Guamal Afro-Colombian Community Council, said the project gives the community a stake in its own development. “This project represents an important development opportunity for our community and has the potential to make a meaningful difference for our families and future generations. We are proud that Guamal is participating in this initiative, which demonstrates what can be achieved when communities, public institutions and the private sector work together. We believe it can create new opportunities and contribute to a stronger future for our community,” Moreno said.

Omar Ossma, President of Collective Mining, said the community’s organization made it a strong partner for the initiative. “The Guamal community has a strong cultural identity, a well-organized structure and a clear vision for its future. Collective is committed to working alongside communities and institutional partners on practical initiatives that support regional development and create meaningful social, economic and environmental benefits. Building trusted relationships through meaningful participation and collaboration remains central to the Company’s approach in the regions where it operates,” Ossma said.

“This project represents an important development opportunity for our community and has the potential to make a meaningful difference for our families and future generations.” — Carlos Andres Moreno, President, Guamal Afro-Colombian Community Council

Once completed, the project is expected to:

• Provide the community with access to a reliable source of locally-generated renewable energy;
• Reduce household electricity costs and generate revenue from the sale of surplus energy;
• Support local employment and skills development;
• Strengthen community participation in energy planning and management; and
• Reduce emissions associated with conventional electricity generation.

Collective Mining describes the initiative as among the first community energy projects of its kind in Caldas, and says it could serve as a model for connecting other communities to renewable energy solutions.

The solar project adds to Collective Mining’s broader community engagement in Caldas, where the company holds exploration rights to the Guayabales and San Antonio projects near the municipalities of Supía and Marmato. The company has previously published sustainability and ESG reporting tied to its Colombian operations, and Ossma discussed the company’s community strategy in a previous interview with Finance Colombia.

Collective Mining was founded by the team that developed and sold Continental Gold Inc. to Zijin Mining for approximately $1.4 billion USD in enterprise value. The company explores for gold, silver, copper and tungsten in Caldas, where its two projects sit within an established mining camp alongside ten permitted and operating mines. Its flagship project, Guayabales, is anchored by the Apollo system, a bulk-tonnage gold-silver-copper-tungsten deposit where the company continues to expand the high-grade Ramp Zone and test new targets across the property.

Above photo courtesy EPM (Tepuy Solar Park)