On September 16, 2024, the Department of State launched a new version of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Re-enroll in the new system at step.state.gov to continue receiving alerts.

Participants in the old STEP program must re-enroll in the new program. Enrollments will not be carried over.

The new STEP platform allows you to use a login.gov account to customize your subscriptions and receive country-specific email alerts during the timeframe of your choice. You can enroll multiple trips or locations at once and can modify your subscriptions or unenroll at any time.

Enrolling in STEP makes it easier for the nearest U.S embassy or consulate to contact you during an emergency and send you safety and security alerts. We strongly encourage all U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to enroll or re-enroll today to take advantage of new functionality.

Actions to Take: 

• Visit step.state.gov to enroll in the updated STEP to set your preferences and continue receiving alerts and messages from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
• Encourage friends and family traveling or living internationally to enroll in STEP. Travelers may choose to sign up for alerts for individual trips or to receive alerts long-term for specific countries where they or their loved ones are visiting or residing.
• Follow the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs on social media (@travelgov) as well as the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

As a courtesy to readers, this message has been reprinted in its entirety as issued by the US Embassy in Bogotá.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia
Tel. +57-1-275-2000 or 601-275-2000
Contact us here!
https://co.usembassy.gov/services/contact-acs-form/

U.S. Consular Agency, Barranquilla
Contact us here!

U.S. Department of State – Consular Affairs
1-888-407-4747 or 1-202-501-4444

ANDICOM 2024, Colombia’s leading technology and business conference, will explore key topics including artificial intelligence (AI), 5G connectivity, and digital infrastructure development. The event, running from September 4 to 6, is expected to attract around 6,000 participants.

The conference will host 14 sessions dedicated to AI, covering its implementation, regulation, ethical considerations, and the role of computing in development. Notable speakers include Gabriele Mazzini, Global Director Enterprise Strategy, who played a key role in drafting the EU’s AI Act; Caroline Yap, Global Managing Director of AI Business and Applied Engineering at Google; and Hiroshi Ishiguro, a prominent robotics expert from Osaka University.

These sessions will feature discussions on how AI can be effectively governed and regulated. Experts will address challenges and best practices to ensure AI development is ethical, transparent, and accountable. The agenda includes input from regulators, academics, and tech industry leaders on establishing effective regulatory frameworks and maintaining public trust in AI applications.

5G technology will also be a major focus. Discussions will explore how businesses can maximize the potential of 5G for improved network speed, capacity, and reliability. Topics will include the impact of 5G on IoT and augmented reality, and how this technology can drive innovation and business growth. The conference will also examine the concept of “Fair Share,” which calls for content providers like Netflix and Google to contribute to infrastructure development. A panel will present perspectives from content creators, telecom companies, civil society, and regulators.

Additionally, the Colombian government will present its integrated connectivity expansion plan. Telecom CEOs will participate in a panel titled “Leading the Future of Connectivity: Innovation, Challenges, and Opportunities,” discussing strategies for advancing faster, more reliable, and accessible connectivity. The panel will also cover investment in new technologies and expanding coverage.

Japan, this year’s invited country, will contribute to the discussion on 5G through Sadayuki Abeta, Chief Open RAN Strategist at OREX SAI, who will discuss the evolution of 5G networks and Open RAN, a network architecture that promotes interoperability.

Overall, ANDICOM 2024 will feature over 150 global speakers who will address how AI, blockchain, digital security, 5G, cloud computing, and analytics are becoming essential tools for sustainable development, generating returns on investment, and fostering new business models across various sectors in Latin America.

The 18th edition of Medellín’s Fiesta del Libro y la Cultura starts this Friday, running from September 6 to 15 and will highlight the theme “A Common Beat (Un latido común),” with a focus on independent publishing. The event will take place at the Jardín Botánico Joaquín Antonio Uribe and surrounding northern areas of the city.

This year’s program features 3,000 activities across 25 event categories, with the participation of 280 national and international guests. Among them are 16 international editors and publishing agents from countries including Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, Spain, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Chile.

The event’s agenda will include discussions, workshops, literary activities, and exhibitions. Notable participants include Colombian authors Mario Mendoza, Luis Miguel Rivas, and Velia Vidal. International guests include Andrés Oppenheimer (Argentina), Katie Kitamura (US), Javier Peña (Spain), Audry Magee (Ireland), Aura García-Junco (Mexico), and Carlos Manuel Álvarez (Cuba).

In addition to celebrating independent publishing, the event will commemorate significant milestones, such as the 100th anniversaries of La Vorágine and Colombian comics, the 20th anniversary of Bibliocirco, and the relaunch of the León de Greiff Prize, which recognizes contributions to publishing and literature nationwide.

The Fundación Secretos para Contar, participating for the first time, will conduct workshops at the Jardín Lectura Viva. These workshops, inspired by the foundation’s work in urban and rural areas of Antioquia and Colombia, will focus on reading promotion and narrative creation. The foundation will also unveil its ninth book collection, emphasizing the connection between rural and urban life.

Other highlights include the Cuentódromo, Salón del Libro Infantil y Juvenil, Salón del Cómic y la Ilustración, Salón de Nuevas Lecturas, Salón del Libro Universitario, and Salón de la Autopublicación. The event will also feature book launches, a national booksellers’ meeting, and seminars on editor training and comic research in Colombia.

Bibliocirco will mark its 30th anniversary with a performance on September 7, launching the latest installment in its Cuentico Amarillo series, La niña perdida espera a Peter Pan, written by José Andrés Ardila and illustrated by Yanneth Pineda.

On September 12 and 13, the Secretaría de Cultura Ciudadana and Sura will host conversations under the theme “How to Live Well Together?” These discussions, aligned with the Medellín Te Quiere 2024-2027 Development Plan, will explore social trust, civic culture, and community resilience.

The event is supported by a public investment of $9 billion pesos from the Medellín city government, which aims to promote literacy, writing, and oral traditions across the city’s 16 districts and five townships. Partnerships with organizations such as Comfenalco, Comfama, EPM, Fundación Saldarriaga Concha, and El Colombiano have also facilitated the event’s programming.

The Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia (SFC) has introduced new measures aimed at enhancing the Colombian capital market’s depth and accessibility. These regulations, outlined in Circular Externa 010 of 2024, are designed to simplify investor onboarding and broaden the range of accessible investment products.

Key Provisions of Circular Externa 010 of 2024

The new guidelines expand the scope of simplified customer onboarding to include a wider array of securities, beyond just stocks. This now covers small investments in bonds, shares in mutual funds (FICs), and other financial instruments.

In addition, the regulation revises the limits for low-value transactions in securities, FICs, and voluntary pension funds (FVPs). The threshold has been adjusted from 66,000 UVR to 25 times the monthly legal minimum wage a limit of approximately $7,800 USD currently), with a provision to increase this limit to 40 times the minimum wage under certain conditions. This change aims to maintain robust anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) standards while allowing for more investment flexibility.

Promotion of Investor Self-Management

Another significant aspect of the circular is the promotion of investor self-management through electronic channels provided by brokerage firms. The updated rules for electronic order routing systems are intended to streamline the process of buying and selling securities, making it easier for new investors to enter the market efficiently. Brokerage firms are encouraged to integrate these routing systems with digital platforms such as websites, apps, and other technological solutions, which are already used to distribute and promote their products.

Implications for Collective Investment Funds (FICs)

The circular also addresses changes related to the operation of mutual funds or FICs, following the enactment of Decree 265 on March 5, 2024. The updates remove certain administrative burdens for fiduciary societies, brokerage firms, and investment management companies, particularly concerning the authorization of funds and amendments to their regulations. These changes are intended to make FICs a more attractive and straightforward vehicle for channeling public savings into productive investments.

Conclusion

The issuance of these regulations follows collaborative efforts by the public-private working group established to advance the development of Colombia’s capital markets. By easing entry barriers and promoting the use of digital platforms, the SFC aims to attract a broader range of investors and support the market’s overall growth.

Sovereign rating actions in Latin America in 2024 have been mixed, with three upgrades and two downgrades, continuing the pattern seen in 2023, Fitch Ratings says. The Positive-to-Negative Outlook ratio has improved to 4:1, with Positive Outlooks on all Caribbean sovereigns, which have benefited from the post-pandemic tourism recovery and structural fiscal improvements.

Continuing growth and fiscal challenges remain important factors in Fitch’s sovereign ratings assessments. Most Latin American economies will grow in 2024, with only Argentina’s forecast to contract. But muted economic performance means Fitch forecasts regional growth will slow to 1.4%, from 2.2% in 2023 – the weakest forecast among all emerging market regions.

LatAm sovereigns’ projected median 2024 current account deficit is modest at 1.5% of GDP in 2024 (in 2023 it was 1.4%). External buffers and financing options are mostly sound, although Bolivia’s downgrade to ‘CCC’ in February means that four sovereigns are rated in this category or lower, indicating more acute financing constraints and international liquidity challenges.

Fiscal risks are rising as broadly weak 1H24 deficits imply that fiscal forecasts may deteriorate for 2024 and beyond. Overall, deficits will remain above debt-stabilizing levels in most countries. The fading post-pandemic fiscal recovery has exposed underlying fiscal weaknesses, notably the difficulty in reducing primary expenditure due to social spending pressures and indexation. Exceptions are mostly in Central America and the Caribbean, where fiscal positions are tighter.

Economic deceleration, a period of high inflation, and increased income inequality and poverty rates following the pandemic underpin risks to social and political stability. Periodic protests have been common in recent years and may remain so. Governability challenges from fragmented congresses and difficult executive-legislative relationships can delay reforms and fiscal consolidation.

“Latin America Sees Mixed Sovereign Actions as Growth, Fiscal Challenges Persist” is available at www.fitchratings.com,

Date: October 1^st and 2^nd 2024

Place: Santiago de Chile

Organizer: Vostock Capital

Website

5^th International Congress and Exhibition Mining Chile and Latin America 2023 brings together, during 2 days, over 200 decision makers from national and international companies, over 40 Mining Projects in Chile technology and service providers, international and local investors to discuss the main mining industry trends, find new partners and create business connections.

Request More Information here

Congress Highlights:

• 200 decision makers mining executives will be gathered on the strategic platform: national and international companies, as well as government representatives, regulatory agencies, academics, project owners, and providers of technologies and
• 40 investment projects on construction, expansion, and modernization of mines in Chile, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador with the development timeframe 2023-2034
• 2 days of extraordinary networking possibilities: 1 to 1 business meetings, networking round tables, cocktail receptions, and interactive conversations.
• Strategies to promote foreign investment: How to attract investors, incentive expansion and staying business.
• Dedicated exhibition of cutting-edge equipment and technologies for mining industry delivered by local and global
• Mining Innovations: Emerging technologies to optimize production and exploration processes, improve supply chain and logistics, and increase sustainability.
• Get to know the most auspicious investment projects in precious and non-precious metals.
• Risk management in mining operations: operators and service providers present current best practices for operational risk management in mines
• Environmental and social accountability in mining operations: best practices for community engagement and ecological sustainability
• Round table: Desalination, purification, and industrial wastewater treatment: Challenges and opportunities to achieve higher standards of sustainability and increase efficiency in the use of water resources

Best,
Catalina Velasco
LatAm Marketing and Brazil Manager
[email protected]

Mining Chile & Latin America 2024 Congress Coming to Santiago, Chile Next Month

Colombia’s emerald trade, renowned for the exceptional quality of its gems as well as its relentless violence, has suffered another blow to its reputation with the professional assassination of a top dealer. The killing has sparked speculation over which criminal powers beyond the jewel business could be at work, and what they may gain from the hit.

Juan Sebastian Aguilar, 58, was shot in the chest by a proficient sniper who reportedly spent days lying in wait in the mountains above his target’s upscale home in northern Bogotá. The marksman, according to media reports, escaped on horseback into the lush mountains behind the housing complex, ending in an almost cinematic killing. His exit also complicated police efforts to track his movements.

Aguilar’s death at first glance appeared to be a simple settling of scores — revenge for past betrayals — between rival gem traders. But the sophistication of the hit has since led observers to speculate that the killing could be connected to broader criminal groups like drug trafficking and money laundering syndicates. Others believe he may have been eliminated to ease the way for killing another emerald trader.

SEE ALSO:‘Selective and Silent’: The New ‘Green War’ for Colombia’s Emeralds

“This is a settling of scores, but not among the emerald traders, it’s among the drug traffickers,” Petrit Baquero, who authored “The New Green War” (La Nueva Guerra Verde), a book about ties between Colombia’s emerald barons and organized crime, told InSight Crime.

Aguilar had become a powerful individual with significant security around him, he added. “Whoever decided to target him had people trained in the exercise of violence and used war weapons – not just a hitman on a motorcycle. It was something entirely professionalized and undoubtedly an attack that must have been worth a lot of money,” said Baquero.

This is not the first time Aguilar had been targeted. He narrowly survived an attempt on his life last year, and, according to El Tiempo, investigators are exploring whether it could be the same killer. And while almost certainly linked to the emerald business, sources shrug off the idea of a new round of tit-for-tat killings — an extension of what has been called the Green War — and believe that more criminal elements are at play.

The Green War

Though Colombia’s emerald industry dates back over 500 years to the time of the Spanish Conquest, the modern-day business has a murky history. It is marred by violence and conflict, particularly during the Green Wars of the 1980s, during which up to 6,000 people were killed in clashes between rival mining clans and right-wing paramilitary groups fighting for control over the lucrative mining regions in Boyacá, about 150 kilometers from Bogotá.

The recently deceased Aguilar, also known as “Pedro Alguilar” or “Pedro Pechuga,” came from that era. He began his emerald career as bodyguard and then head of security for so-called “Emerald Czar” Victor Carranza, who, in the 1980s, successfully fought against notorious drug lords Pablo Escobar and Jose Rodriguez Gacha for control of the gem industry.

Prior to his death from cancer in April 2013, Carranza was the most powerful figure in Colombia’s emerald business.

The financial spoils are not just access to the $150 million in annual emerald exports, but ample opportunities for money laundering. The exchange of stones for cash often takes place on Bogotá’s streets, making them ripe for leaking dirty money into the system.

SEE ALSO:Colombia’s Great Survivor: Victor Carranza

Baquero reckons the score against Aguilar may date back to the post-Carranza days and the push for power from rival emerald barons whose business interests shifted into the drug trade and money laundering.

“These are the aftershocks,” he said. “Maybe Aguilar was not a drug trafficker, but there are links and power relations with people involved in that environment, and his assassination may be due to that.”

Stubborn Frontmen?

One theory is that former members of the so-called Junta Directiva, or Board of Directors, found that frontmen — among them possibly Aguilar — were unwilling to return properties and businesses held for them.

This shadowy organization once held significant influence in Colombia’s criminal underworld, according to sources and media reports. Allegedly headed by Julio Lozano Pirateque, The Board’s associates operated behind the scenes, controlling networks that straddled illicit operations and legitimate businesses, such as foreign exchange houses and the emerald trade, to launder money.

“The well-established connections between emerald traders and drug trafficking highlight how organized crime is intertwined with both legal and illegal economies, nationally and internationally,” Andres Preciado, director of Colombian think tank Fundación Ideas para la Paz, told InSight Crime.

Enemies of Hernando Sànchez

Another theory is that Horacio Triana, an emerald dealer and Carranza’s historical rival who is serving time in a US prison on drug-related charges, may have wanted Aguilar out of the way.

Triana’s beef with Aguilar likely stems from the dead man’s close association and friendship with Hernando Sànchez, heir to Carranza’s emerald empire. Sánchez inherited control of Colombia’s biggest and most productive mining area — the Santa Rosa — when Carranza died. That put him, and thus, Aguilar, in the business crossfire of rival emerald barrons and traffickers, like Triana, as well as another key player, Pedro Rincon Castillo, known as “Pedro Orejas.”

Sánchez could be at the center of this deadly puzzle, says Baquero. Still a big player in the emerald world, he has survived several assassination attempts, receiving 11 shots in an exclusive Bogotá clothing store in 2012. His immense power, garnered after Carranza’s death, made him an obvious target, but he also faced accusations — notably from Triana — that he owed money for the purchase of shares in the Cunas Mine, which produces a significant amount of gems for Santa Rosa.

Aguilar’s “associates must be very scared and protecting themselves,” said Baquero.

Aligned with Triana in the same emerald faction, Pedro Orejas may have his own motivation for wanting Aguilar out of the picture — again, due to conflict with Sánchez over control of the mines but also over a potential lingering suspicion he could have been involved in his son’s death in 2013.

Although there is no direct evidence, some allege Triana paid a group of assassins for the hit on Sánchez in 2012. Ousting Aguilar, who ran the heavily armed security company, Seguridad Oriental Ltda., that protected Sánchez and other local and international mine owners would leave Sánchez more vulnerable to another attempt on his life.

Sánchez was also fingered by Triana and Pedro Orejas for being a frontman for Lozano, who now resides in Dubai.

Or Could it Be The AGC?

There is yet another possible perpetrator, the Gaitanist Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (Autodefensas Gaitanistas de Colombia – AGC). Although there are no direct links between Aguilar and the AGC (also known as the Clan del Golfo), its former leader, Dario Antonio Úsuga, alias “Otoniel,” who is now in US custody, allegedly ordered hits on Sánchez and had long coveted a piece of the emerald trade in Boyacá. Some media reports say the AGC and Lozano have worked together before.

SEE ALSO: Gaitanistas – Gulf Clan Criminal Profile

Aguilar’s assassination would send a powerful message to Sánchez, whose elimination is important to realize AGC ambitions. But the group, known for getting rid of rivals in pretty sophisticated ways, may have worked with Triana and Pedro Orejas to take out Aguilar in return for a footing in the mining business.

“What’s clear is that Aguilar was on a kill list for some time, it was a homicide already paid for,” said Preciado.

But as investigators continue to grapple with the latest bloodshed in Colombia’s emerald trade, there is only one certainty, and that is that the violence — and sophistication of the hit that claimed Aguilar’s life — will continue. And that will leave more than a few worried.

This article, written by Helen Murphy, was originally published by InSight Crime, a Medellín-based foundation dedicated to the investigation and analysis of crime and security in Colombia and Latin America. It has been generously shared with Finance Colombia under a Creative Commons license.

On August 20, Worldcoin began offering its verification services in Cartagena, allowing residents over 18 to obtain a World ID. This digital ID is designed to confirm that users are human, distinguishing them from AI entities without revealing personal information. According to Worldcoin, more than 6 million people globally have undergone this verification process, and 12 million have downloaded the World App, the platform’s associated digital wallet.

The process involves using a device called the Orb to capture detailed images of users’ irises, which are then used to create a unique World ID. While Worldcoin assures that these images are deleted after registration, the potential for data abuse remains a significant concern. There are also fears that the program could exploit vulnerable populations, who might participate in the scheme without fully understanding the risks involved or because they lack access to alternative financial and digital services. Worldcoin has already attracted negative attention for focusing on poor and developing countries and regions for its data collection efforts, where it pays participants a small sum to participate. For example, the company has launched in Cartagena, a Colombian city with a luxurious tourist zone serving both Colombians and international visitors, but also where the majority of the city is both impoverished and crime ridden.

“We want all Colombians to have the tools to prepare for the era of artificial intelligence, so just 45 days after the arrival of Worldcoin in Colombia, we are pleased to make the project’s humanity verification services available to all Cartageneros,” said Martin Mazza,regional manager for Latin America at Tools for Humanity (TFH).

Tools for Humanity (TFH) is the company behind the development and deployment of the Worldcoin project. It supports the technical and operational aspects of Worldcoin, working on the creation and maintenance of the necessary infrastructure, such as the Orb devices used to capture iris scans. TFH collaborates with Worldcoin in building the broader digital and financial network that the project envisions.

In summary, Worldcoin is the project, while Tools for Humanity (TFH) is the company that manages and implements the project’s technical and operational components.

Sensitive data, as defined by the Colombian Constitutional Court in its 2011 ruling (Sentencia C-748), includes information that is closely tied to an individual’s privacy and human dignity.

Colombian government initiates formal proceedings against Worldcoin

The Colombian Superintendency of Industry and Commerce (SIC) has initiated formal proceedings against Worldcoin Foundation and Tools for Humanity Corporation, citing potential violations of the country’s data protection laws. The investigation, outlined in Resolution 46436 of 2024, addresses concerns over the companies’ practices related to the collection and use of sensitive biometric data, specifically iris scans, in exchange for cryptocurrency payments.

If found in violation, Worldcoin may face significant penalties, including the suspension of its operations in Colombia

Worldcoin, a platform that offers digital identity verification through iris scanning, claims its service helps distinguish humans from bots, allowing users to access various online services. The system generates a “World ID,” which users can download and use across multiple platforms. The organization also enables third-party developers to integrate World ID into their own applications without prior approval from Worldcoin, raising additional privacy concerns.

The SIC’s investigation focuses on whether Worldcoin’s data collection practices comply with Colombia’s data protection regulations. Key issues under scrutiny include whether users were provided with clear, transparent, and informed consent prior to data collection and whether adequate procedures were in place to protect individuals’ rights under the country’s habeas data framework. This legal principle, enshrined in Colombian law, guarantees the right to privacy and the proper handling of personal data.

If the investigation confirms that Worldcoin violated these regulations, the companies could face significant penalties. Possible sanctions include fines of up to 2,000 monthly minimum wages, suspension of activities for up to six months, or even the permanent closure of operations, as stipulated in Article 23 of Law 1581 of 2012.

The SIC has also issued a reminder to the public to exercise caution when sharing personal data, particularly sensitive information like biometric data. The ongoing investigation underscores the importance of protecting personal information in an era where digital services increasingly rely on such data.

Sensitive data, as defined by the Colombian Constitutional Court in its 2011 ruling (Sentencia C-748), includes information that is closely tied to an individual’s privacy and human dignity. While the processing of such data may sometimes be necessary for essential services like healthcare or education, misuse of sensitive information can lead to significant risks, including discrimination against the data subject.

The investigation remains in its early stages, and the decision is currently pending notification. No appeals are permitted against this decision.

Photos courtesy Tools For Humanity

ColombiaPlast is set to hold its 12th edition at Corferias in Bogotá from September 23 to 27, 2024. The event will showcase the latest technologies and trends in the plastic, rubber, petrochemical, packaging, and container industries across Colombia and the broader region.

The event will feature 300 exhibitors, including international representatives from countries such as Germany, Austria, Brazil, China, the United States, and several others. The focus will be on solutions related to the circular economy, Industry 4.0, 3D printing, digital manufacturing, and sustainable production.

Organized by Acoplásticos, Messe Düsseldorf North America, and Corferias, ColombiaPlast aims to provide a platform for industry leaders to explore advancements in raw materials, machinery, recycling, production management, process control, and sustainability. The event will also serve as a venue for forming business alliances and enhancing industry competitiveness in the region. Key participants will include directors, buyers, and technicians interested in the latest innovations and the need for industry transformation.

Daniel Mitchell, Executive President of Acoplásticos, emphasized the importance of such events for the industry’s evolution, noting that they offer valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and addressing challenges.

ColombiaPlast 2024 will feature a comprehensive agenda of conferences, workshops, and exhibitions. The academic program will cover themes such as Industry 4.0, sustainability, and innovation in plastic processing technologies, aligning with global discussions in the petrochemical and plastic sectors. Notable speakers include Dr. Ing. Laura Fernanda Flórez Sastre, Dr. Ing. Ana María Henao Montoya, and Mag. Silvio Ospina, who will provide insights into making the plastic industry more sustainable and competitive.

The event will also include experiential areas like the 3D Fest and GoPlastic zones. The 3D Fest will highlight 3D printing and digital manufacturing, aiming to boost their adoption in Colombia’s production processes. The GoPlastic zone will expand on its 2022 focus on recycling, incorporating broader sustainability solutions to promote more efficient and environmentally friendly production.

For more information, visit https://www.colombiaplast.org/.

Aris Mining Corporation (TSX: ARIS; NYSE-A: ARMN) has published its 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing its efforts and progress in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. The report was prepared in accordance with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) guidelines for the metals and mining industry.

Aris Mining’s CEO, Neil Woodyer, emphasized the importance of the company’s ESG initiatives, particularly its Contract Mining Partners (CMP) program. This program currently contributes over 40% of the company’s gold production and is central to its operations in Colombia. The CMP program aims to address the challenges posed by informal and illegal mining, which has been a longstanding issue in the country. To date, Aris Mining has facilitated the formalization of over 3,000 miners and plans to formalize an additional 500 to 1,000 miners in 2024. The company views this as a step towards promoting responsible mining practices that align with government policies and contribute to local economic development.

Key Highlights from the 2023 Sustainability Report:

• Management Oversight: A Management Sustainability Committee was established, reporting directly to the CEO and the Board’s Sustainability Committee. This structure aims to ensure transparency in decision-making related to the company’s sustainability efforts.
• ESG Standards: Aris Mining’s adherence to the SASB Standards and the Towards Sustainable Mining (TSM) protocols reflects its commitment to maintaining high ESG performance standards.
• United Nations Initiatives: In 2023, the company became a member of the United Nations Global Compact and endorsed the United Nations Women’s Empowerment Principles, leading to increased female representation within its workforce.
• Materiality Analysis: The company updated its materiality analysis in 2023 to include both the Marmato Mine and the Segovia Operations.
• Environmental Rehabilitation: Aris Mining established an $11 million trust fund dedicated to environmental rehabilitation at Marmato, including the construction of a water treatment plant to manage industrial wastewater.
• Social and Environmental Investments: The company invested $10.2 million in projects focused on education, socioeconomic development, infrastructure, environmental conservation, and gender equity, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
• Safety Improvements: Following the implementation of the Vision Zer000 safety program in 2022, the company reported a 75% reduction in Lost Time Injuries.
• Educational Support: Aris Mining awarded 875 Colibri scholarships at a bilingual school in Segovia, La Salada. The school recently celebrated its first graduating class of over 50 students.

Aris Mining’s 2023 Sustainability Report is available for review on the company’s website under the Sustainability section.

For more information, visit Sustainability Reports – Aris Mining Corporation.