Ecopetrol S.A. (NYSE: EC, BVC: ECOPETROL) reported first-quarter 2026 consolidated revenues of 28.6 trillion COP, a decline of 8.7% from 31.4 trillion COP in the year-earlier period, as lower crude oil prices and reduced hydrocarbon production compressed the top line for Colombia’s state-controlled oil and gas company. Against that backdrop, a marked recovery in refining margins and disciplined cost management lifted EBITDA by 1.5% to 13.5 trillion COP, yielding a 47% EBITDA margin and partially offsetting the revenue headwind. At the Q1 2026 average exchange rate of approximately 3,700 COP per USD, the quarter’s revenues translate to roughly $7.73 billion USD and EBITDA to approximately $3.65 billion USD.

Embattled Ecopetrol CEO Ricardo Roa was appointed to the position by Colombian President Gustavo Petro after managing his political campaign. (photo: Ecopetrol)

Net income for the quarter reached 2.9 trillion COP (approximately $784 million USD), down 7.7% year-over-year, reflecting the combined drag of lower revenues, a sharply elevated effective tax rate of 37.1%, and a one-time charge of 1.2 trillion COP for the impuesto al patrimonio — Colombia’s government-mandated wealth levy on large corporations established to fund post-disaster reconstruction measures. The company is also subject to a 10% income tax surcharge applicable for fiscal year 2026, which is embedded in the reported effective rate. The aggregate tax burden absorbed a disproportionate share of operating improvement relative to prior periods, limiting the flow-through of refining gains to the net income line.

Total hydrocarbon production averaged 725.2 thousand barrels of oil equivalent per day (kboed) in Q1 2026, below the 745 kboed recorded in the 2025 annual average cited by management during the March 2026 general shareholders’ meeting. Domestic crude output represented the largest component at approximately 520 thousand barrels per day (kbd). Ecopetrol’s Permian Basin operations in the United States contributed 91.8 kbd, underscoring the continued strategic importance of the international segment. Gas production continued a multi-year declining trend that poses a medium-term domestic supply challenge; management has sought to address this partially through regasification capacity additions at Puerto Bahía and on the Pacific coast, expected to come online in the second half of 2026 with a combined contribution of up to 430 billion BTU per day.

The refining segment delivered the quarter’s most pronounced operational outperformance. Ecopetrol’s domestic refineries, led by Refinería de Cartagena, processed 417.5 kbd of crude throughput. The integrated refining margin rose to $17.3 USD per barrel, a 60% improvement over the same quarter of 2025, driven by favorable differential pricing between domestic crude benchmarks and refined product values alongside ongoing operational efficiency improvements. The Comisión de Regulación de Energía y Gas (CREG) and the Ministerio de Minas y Energía remain central to the regulatory framework governing downstream margins over the medium term.

The balance sheet carries significant structural and contingent risk items of direct relevance to institutional credit and equity holders. Gross debt stood at 108.1 trillion COP (approximately $29.2 billion USD), representing a leverage ratio of 2.3 times trailing EBITDA — a level that leaves limited room for further deterioration before debt covenants or rating agency thresholds become binding. Ecopetrol holds a receivable of 4.2 trillion COP (approximately $1.14 billion USD) from the Fondo de Estabilización de Precios de los Combustibles (FEPC), a government fuel price stabilization mechanism that represents a claim on the Colombian treasury with timing and recovery risk. A dispute with the Dirección de Impuestos y Aduanas Nacionales (DIAN) over value-added tax assessments totals 12.26 trillion COP (approximately $3.31 billion USD) in aggregate, of which 10.22 trillion COP relates to Ecopetrol’s consolidated operations and 2.04 trillion COP to Refinería de Cartagena. Both cases are under administrative and judicial review; no provisions have been recognized in the financial statements pending resolution, but the potential liability represents a material contingency relative to the company’s quarterly net income.

On the corporate development front, Ecopetrol disclosed three significant transactions during or following the quarter. The company agreed to acquire producing assets from Gran Tierra Energy (NYSE: GTE, TSX: GTE) for $92.4 million USD, adding Colombian upstream production inventory in basins where both companies have operated. In Brazil, Ecopetrol launched a tender offer for shares of Brava Energia (BVMF: BRAV3) at 23 BRL per share, seeking to expand its footprint in that country’s oil and gas sector. And in a transaction that would reshape the mid-size independent landscape in Colombia, the company reached an agreement to acquire Parex Resources (TSX: PXT) for $250 million USD; Parex is a Colombia-focused producer with a complementary asset base across the Llanos and other producing basins. Collectively, the three transactions signal that Ecopetrol’s capital allocation strategy under the current government continues to favor upstream consolidation despite the elevated leverage profile.

The exploration portfolio generated positive news announcements. The Copoazú-1 exploratory well, drilled in Colombia’s Llanos foothills region, was confirmed as a commercial discovery, adding to the domestic reserve base. The Sirius offshore project advanced through the Consulta Previa process — a legally mandated prior consultation with indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities required before development of projects in or near their territories — reaching a milestone in community engagement that brings the project closer to formal development sanction. The Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos (ANH) oversees the licensing framework within which both projects operate.

“Ecopetrol is listed on the New York Stock Exchange; we are governed by the strict regulations of US federal agencies. Agencies like OFAC and the SEC could intervene in the company and could even accelerate the payment of financial obligations, which would be extremely grave for Ecopetrol.” — Martín Ravelo, President, Unión Sindical Obrera (USO)

The ISA transmission segment, managed through Ecopetrol’s majority stake in ISA — Interconexión Eléctrica S.A., contributed stable regulated cash flows during the quarter. ISA completed 46 transmission reinforcement works across its Latin American concession portfolio. The segment also completed the acquisition of 100% of IE Madeira in Brazil, consolidating its position in that country’s power grid interconnection infrastructure. ISA further submitted a competitive bid for the Río Bueno–Puerto Montt high-voltage transmission line concession in Chile, demonstrating the group’s appetite for long-duration, inflation-linked infrastructure assets across the Andes region. For institutional investors evaluating Ecopetrol as a blended hydrocarbons-and-infrastructure holding, ISA’s consistent cash generation provides partial diversification from crude price volatility, though it does not insulate the consolidated entity from headline governance risk.

The most consequential variable for the investment thesis over the near term is Ecopetrol’s prolonged governance crisis. At the company’s general shareholders’ meeting on March 27, 2026, held at the Corferias convention center in Bogotá, minority shareholders loudly heckled president Ricardo Roa — with audible shouts of “¡Fuera, fuera!” reverberating through the hall — as debate over his leadership erupted into open confrontation. The meeting approved a dividend of 121 COP per share for minority holders and a 4 trillion COP distribution to the Colombian government as majority shareholder, payable in two installments by June 30, 2026. Despite the financial business conducted, governance overshadowed the proceedings.

Roa faces two separate judicial proceedings. The Fiscalía General de la Nación formally charged him in connection with alleged influence peddling related to the purchase of an apartment in northern Bogotá — charges he has denied. Separately, the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) is examining whether campaign spending limits were violated during President Gustavo Petro’s 2022 presidential campaign, which Roa managed — an investigation that Finance Colombia has covered in detail. Angela Maria Robledo, Chair of the Board of Directors, defended the board’s decision to retain Roa at the March assembly, citing the constitutional presumption of innocence. However, four of the nine board members had already formally recorded their support for his removal at that point, exposing a divided governance structure at a time when strategic and operational decisions require unified leadership.

The Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), which represents approximately one-third of Ecopetrol’s workforce, issued a production strike ultimatum timed to a March 30 board meeting. Martín Ravelo, president of the USO, framed the leadership crisis explicitly in terms of US regulatory risk: “Ecopetrol is listed on the New York Stock Exchange; we are governed by the strict regulations of US federal agencies. Agencies like OFAC and the SEC could intervene in the company and could even accelerate the payment of financial obligations, which would be extremely grave for Ecopetrol.” Ravelo further warned that the company’s outstanding international debt — which he placed at approximately $30 billion USD and which is exacerbated by elevated interest rates — left Ecopetrol exposed to potential covenant triggers or early repayment demands in a scenario where the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or the Office of Foreign Assets Control were to take enforcement action.

Following sustained pressure from the USO, minority shareholders, and opposition political figures, Ecopetrol’s board approved an extended leave of absence for Roa beginning April 7, 2026. Under the arrangement, Roa used accrued vacation through May 27, followed by 30 calendar days of unpaid leave beginning May 28, extending his absence through the end of June — a period encompassing Colombia’s presidential first round on May 31 and a potential runoff on June 21. Juan Carlos Hurtado Parra, the company’s executive vice president of hydrocarbons and designated first alternate to the presidency since November 2025, was appointed acting president. Hurtado Parra holds an MBA in International Oil and Gas and brings more than 28 years of energy sector experience to the acting role, having previously served as vice president of exploration, development, and production.

The political calendar creates a structural transition risk that sits above the operational and financial results as the primary concern for long-duration investors. Colombia’s incoming government, to be inaugurated August 7, 2026, is widely expected to appoint a new Ecopetrol board and select a new company president. That transition may bring material shifts in strategic priorities — including the pace of upstream investment, the approach to the FEPC receivable recovery, the trajectory of energy transition spending, and the capital allocation balance between the hydrocarbons segment and the ISA infrastructure platform. The Ministerio de Hacienda y Crédito Público and the Ministerio de Minas y Energía will both play key roles in establishing the post-election policy framework under which Ecopetrol operates. Institutional investors holding exposure to Ecopetrol via NYSE: EC or BVC: ECOPETROL must weigh Q1’s genuine operational improvement — most visibly in refining margins and EBITDA stability — against a governance and policy transition risk profile that is unlikely to be resolved before the August handover.

Ecopetrol’s Cartagena refinery (photo courtesy Ecopetrol)

New 10% tariff on finished aluminum windows forces EBITDA revision of ~$50M

Barranquilla-based window and architectural glass manufacturer Tecnoglass, Inc. (NYSE: TGLS) has revised its full-year 2026 financial guidance following the April 2 announcement of updated US trade policy that introduced a 10% tariff on finished aluminum window products imported into the United States.

The company stated that its first quarter 2026 performance was in line with internal expectations, supported by continued order activity and a record project backlog. Those results, the company indicated, support the continuation of its previously stated expectation of strong double-digit full-year revenue growth. However, the tariff development — which was not incorporated into the original 2026 guidance issued February 26, 2026 — required a revision to Adjusted EBITDA projections.

“We are executing at a high level to start 2026, with first quarter performance in line with our expectations and continued strength across our residential and commercial platforms. Our record backlog and strong order activity provide excellent visibility, and we continue to gain market share supported by our differentiated vertically integrated model and industry-leading cost structure. The developments in U.S. trade policy applicable to aluminum-containing imports do not reflect any change in our competitive positioning or underlying demand environment. We have proactively restructured our supply chain over the past several years to significantly reduce raw material tariff exposure, and our platform remains advantaged within our industry,” said CEO José Manuel Daes.

Tecnoglass is now guiding for full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $225 million USD to $245 million USD. The updated range reflects an estimated net incremental impact of approximately $50 million USD compared to the midpoint of the company’s previously stated guidance, attributable to the newly applied 10% tariff on certain finished aluminum window imports into the US market.

The April 2 White House announcement updated Section 232 metals tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper imports, and expanded the applicability of those tariffs to finished goods and certain derivative products containing those metals. The action affects Tecnoglass and other aluminum window exporters that ship products into the United States.

In response, Tecnoglass says it has implemented pricing adjustments effective on orders placed beginning in early May, the benefit of which is expected to materialize in the second half of 2026. The company is also advancing operational efficiency measures including logistics improvements, increased automation, and workforce adjustments. The revised guidance also accounts for the potential effect of sustained elevated aluminum prices in the second half of the year.

“The developments in US trade policy applicable to aluminum-containing imports do not reflect any change in our competitive positioning or underlying demand environment. We have proactively restructured our supply chain over the past several years to significantly reduce raw material tariff exposure.” – CEO José Manuel Daes

Santiago Giraldo, Chief Financial Officer of Tecnoglass, added, “The change to our full year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA expectations is entirely a result of the revised U.S. tariff framework, which was not contemplated in our original guidance. We have already announced pricing actions that will start with orders in early May, and we are advancing additional efficiency initiatives, including automation and logistics optimization, to further mitigate the anticipated net impact of tariffs disclosed today. These actions, combined with our strong margin profile and disciplined cost management, position us to partially offset the tariff impact as we move through the year and fully neutralize it in 2027. Our updated outlook reflects this discrete policy-driven headwind and does not change our confidence in the trajectory of the business. We remain well positioned to drive growth, expand margins over time, and continue delivering industry-leading financial performance.”

A more comprehensive update, including first quarter results and a full restatement of 2026 guidance, is expected in early May.

Tecnoglass operates a 5.8 million square foot vertically integrated manufacturing complex in Barranquilla, Colombia, and counts the United States as its dominant market, representing approximately 95% of total revenues. The company describes itself as the second-largest glass fabricator serving the US market and the largest architectural glass transformation company in Latin America. Its products have been specified for notable projects including One Thousand Museum and Paramount in Miami, Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, and Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado in Bogotá.

Vancouver-based Aris Mining Corporation (TSX: ARIS; NYSE: ARIS) reported preliminary first-quarter 2026 gold production of 74,300 ounces from its two underground mines in Colombia, representing a 6% increase over the fourth quarter of 2025 and a 36% increase compared to the same period a year earlier.

The company said it sold 74,800 ounces of gold during the quarter at an average realized price exceeding $4,860 USD per ounce, generating gold revenue of more than $360 million USD. That figure marks a 20% increase from Q4 2025 revenue of $301 million USD and more than double the $154 million USD reported in Q1 2025. The company reported a cash balance exceeding $470 million USD as of March 31, 2026, an increase of approximately $80 million USD from the end of the previous quarter.

“We expect Q1 2026 gold revenue to exceed $360 million, a significant increase from $154 million in Q1 2025 and $301 million in Q4 2025, driven by higher gold prices and increased ounces sold.” — Neil Woodyer, Chair and CEO, Aris Mining Corporation

The production gains were concentrated at Aris Mining’s Segovia operation in the department of Antioquia, which produced 66,600 ounces during the quarter, up from 63,100 ounces in Q4 2025 and 47,500 ounces in Q1 2025. The year-over-year increase of 40% at Segovia was driven primarily by a notable improvement in ore grade. The average gold grade processed rose to 12.41 grams per ton from 9.37 grams per ton a year earlier, a 32% increase, while the volume of ore processed increased 5% to 175,000 tons. Recovery rates held at 95.3%, compared to 96.1% in both the prior quarter and Q1 2025.

The higher grades offset a decline in throughput compared to Q4 2025, when the mine processed 201,000 tons at an average grade of 10.10 grams per ton. Aris Mining completed installation of a second mill at Segovia in June 2025, increasing processing capacity by 50% to 3,000 tons per day, and the company has indicated that the ramp-up at the operation is continuing.

At the Marmato mine in the department of Caldas, production totaled 7,800 ounces in Q1 2026, an increase from 6,700 ounces in Q4 2025 and 7,200 ounces in Q1 2025. Marmato processed 77,000 tons of ore at an average grade of 3.53 grams per ton during the quarter, compared to 75,000 tons at 3.12 grams per ton in Q4 2025. Recovery rates at Marmato declined slightly to 89.6% from 90.8% in the prior quarter.

Consolidated Production Summary

Growth Outlook

Neil Woodyer, the company’s chair and CEO, said production growth in 2026 is expected to be weighted toward the second half of the year. The company is building a new bulk mine and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) processing plant at Marmato, with first gold expected in Q4 2026. At steady state, the expanded Marmato operation is expected to produce approximately 200,000 ounces per year.

Together, the Segovia and Marmato expansions are expected to increase Aris Mining’s annual gold production to approximately 500,000 ounces. The two mines produced a combined 257,000 ounces in 2025.

Beyond its operating mines, Aris Mining is advancing the Soto Norte gold project in the department of Santander, Colombia, where environmental studies are being finalized for submission in Q2 2026 to initiate the licensing process. The company also holds the Toroparu gold project in Guyana, where a prefeasibility study is underway and a construction decision is expected in early 2027. These projects form part of Aris Mining’s longer-term objective of reaching approximately 1 million ounces of annual gold production, though that target includes estimates from a preliminary economic assessment for Toroparu that the company has cautioned are based on inferred mineral resources and are speculative in nature.

The company expects to report full Q1 2026 financial and operating results on or about May 6, 2026. The quarterly results contained in the April 7 announcement are preliminary and may differ from final figures.

Aris Mining is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ARIS. Company filings are available through SEDAR+ and the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Ecopetrol (NYSE: EC, BVC: ECOPETROL) General Shareholders’ Meeting concluded at the Corferias convention center in Bogotá, marked by a decline in annual profits and an intensifying debate regarding the continuity of the company’s president, Ricardo Roa. During the assembly, shareholders approved a dividend of $121 COP per share for minority holders and a total payment of $4 trillion COP to the Colombian government, which serves as the majority shareholder. The government’s payout is scheduled for distribution in two installments, to be completed by June 30, 2026.

Click on above image to view shareholder meeting

The financial results for the 2025 fiscal year revealed a significant contraction in net income, which fell to $9 trillion COP from the $14.9 trillion COP reported in 2024. Roa attributed this decline primarily to the volatility of international crude prices. He noted that the average price of Brent crude dropped from $80 USD per barrel to $68 USD per barrel over the period. According to company data, every $1 USD drop in the price of Brent corresponds to a reduction of approximately $500 billion COP in net profit and $700 billion COP in EBITDA. Despite the lower earnings, the company maintained a production level of 745,000 barrels per day and achieved a reserve replacement rate of 121%, the highest in five years.

Governance issues remained the primary focus of the assembly. Minority shareholders expressed concern over the legal challenges facing Roa, who is currently under investigation by the Fiscalía General de la Nación for alleged influence peddling. Additionally, the Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) has raised accusations regarding the alleged violation of spending caps during the presidential campaign of Gustavo Petro, which Roa managed. Angela Maria Robledo, Chair of the Board of Directors, defended the decision to retain Roa, stating that the board has activated a evaluation protocol while respecting the constitutional principle of the presumption of innocence.

Shareholders Erupt In Anger At CEO Ricardo Roa:

🚨Abuchean a Ricardo Roa en asamblea de Ecopetrol

“¡Fuera, fuera!”: Este es el momento del tenso abucheo de los accionistas al presidente de la empresa 🔽

Videos: Néstor Gómez pic.twitter.com/uyjh4chpl2

— EL TIEMPO (@ELTIEMPO) March 27, 2026

“Ecopetrol is listed on the New York Stock Exchange; we are governed by the strict regulations of US federal agencies. Agencies like OFAC and the SEC could intervene in the company and could even accelerate the payment of financial obligations, which would be extremely grave for Ecopetrol,” stated Martín Ravelo, President of the USO.

The Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), the primary labor union representing nearly one-third of the company’s workforce, has issued an ultimatum for Roa’s removal. Martin Ravelo, president of the USO, warned that the union will initiate a national strike and affect crude production if Roa is not aparted from his position by Monday, March 30. Ravelo expressed concern that Ecopetrol, which is subject to the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), could face federal intervention. He highlighted that Ecopetrol’s current debt has reached $30 billion USD, exacerbated by rising interest rates, and warned that the company lacks the cash flow to respond to potential demands for early repayment of international obligations.

President Gustavo Petro responded to the union’s concerns via social media, stating that the executive branch will take measures to shield the company’s financial future. Petro emphasized the importance of maintaining investment during periods of high oil prices to prepare for future market downturns. He also criticized past administrations for failing to invest sufficiently in clean energy during previous price cycles. In contrast, Ravelo called for the board to maintain its independence from political influence, noting that four of the nine board members have already left formal records supporting Roa’s departure.

Ecopetrol also addressed the national gas supply, with Roa announcing that new regasification alternatives at Puerto Bahía and on the Pacific coast are expected to begin operations in the second half of 2026. These projects are intended to contribute between 186 and 430 Gbtud to the national grid. A third regasification facility in Coveñas is projected to start operations in 2029 with a capacity of 400 Gbtud. Despite these operational plans, the immediate focus of the international investment community remains fixed on the board’s upcoming meeting on Monday, where the leadership deadlock must be resolved to avoid a potential halt in national production.

Headline photo: Former Senator Jorge Robledo admonishes the Ecopetrol board of directors at the March 2026 shareholders’ meeting.

The controversy surrounding the filing of charges against Ricardo Roa Barragán, president of Colombia´s oil and energy company, Ecopetrol, has taken a new turn following the leak of an internal report suggesting that more than $42 million USD may have been transferred to a private company based in the British Virgin Islands.

According to disclosed information, “the media outlet 6AM W obtained documents showing the link between the USD 42 million payment made by Ecopetrol and a company connected to Serafino Iácono,” as stated by the outlet itself.

It is important to recall that on March 11, Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office (Fiscalía General de la Nación – FGN) formally charged Ricardo Roa Barragán with the alleged crime of influence peddling by a public official. According to the accusation, the executive allegedly intervened to favor a third party (Serafino Iácono) in the assignment of a gasification project in exchange for personal benefits. The FGN stated that Roa “ordered that a specific person be assigned to a gasification project in exchange for a reduction in the price of an apartment” located in northern Bogotá. During the hearing, the executive did not accept the charges.

Regarding the leaked documents, 6AM W reports that the published material “is a memorandum produced following a communication between the lawyers of Miller & Chevallier, hired by Ecopetrol, and Charles Cain, head of the Anti-Corruption Unit for Foreign Operators at the US Securities Exchange Commission (SEC).” This suggests that the document is an internal Ecopetrol report produced in 2024.

Additionally, the report includes references to an “audit commissioned by Ecopetrol to Control Risks, which identifies Iácono as a possible beneficiary of the alleged irregular payment of $42 million USD made through a purchase option” of power generation plants linked to the company Genser, associated with the businessman.

The leaked documents can be accessed through the Caracol Radio website via “Las contradicciones de Ecopetrol y Serafino Iácono en el caso del apartamento de Roa y Termomorichal.”

For his part, Serafino Iácono issued a statement, published by La República via the social network X, in which he affirms that since April 7, 2017, he has had no relationship with the company and that the transaction in question took place in 2023, after his departure.

At this stage, although the information has been reported by the media, judicial decisions remain under the authority of Colombia’s Attorney General’s Office, which is leading the proceedings against Ricardo Roa. Iacono said that he would be filing suit against Control Risks, and hired well-known Colombian lawyer Jaime Lombana Villalba to begin the process.

For further context, readers are encouraged to consult the article “Colombia’s Top Prosecutor Charges Ecopetrol President in Alleged Influence-peddling Case,” published by Finance Colombia.

Beyond the communications previously issued and reported by Finance Colombia in the aforementioned article, no new official statements have been released by Ecopetrol’s board of directors since March 12, prior to the information leak. Finance Colombia has reached out to Iacono for comment and will report any additional information.

Neil Woodyer, CEO of Aris Mining, commented on the new plan: “The Soto Norte PFS outlines a project that balances scale, profitability, environmental stewardship, and community input. Our plan dedicates 750 tpd—more than 20% of total capacity—for material mined by local community groups, replacing informal mills that pollute waterways with safe, licensed processing. All mine water will be collected, treated, and safely returned, safeguarding the Bucaramanga and regional water supplies and improving water quality in the local community mining areas. The PFS results highlight Soto Norte’s ability to deliver significant long-term value for shareholders and our community and government partners, while adhering to the highest standards of safety, water protection, and environmental management. With the PFS complete, we are completing environmental studies and preparing to apply for an environmental license in early 2026. Soto Norte stands out as one of the most attractive gold projects in the Americas.”

The PFS, based on a gold price of $2,600 per ounce, presents a project with a 22-year initial mine life and a processing capacity of 3,500 tpd. The study excludes any economic contribution from the 750 tpd dedicated to local community miners.

Financial Metrics: The after-tax net present value (NPV) at a 5% discount rate is estimated at $2.7 billion, with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 35.4%. The payback period from the start of operations is projected to be 2.3 years.

Costs: Initial capital is estimated at $625 million, including pre-production costs, VAT, and contingency. The projected life-of-mine cash costs are $345 per ounce of gold, with all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) of $534 per ounce.

Production: The study estimates average annual gold production of 263,000 ounces (koz) during the first ten years, with a total of 4.3 million ounces (Moz) of gold produced in concentrates over the mine’s life. It also includes significant by-product credits from silver and copper.

Resources and Reserves: The project’s proven and probable mineral reserves are 20.3 million tons at a grade of 7.00 g/t gold, containing 4.6 Moz gold. Measured and indicated mineral resources stand at 39.0 million tonnes at 5.55 g/t gold, containing 7.0 Moz gold.

The project’s design focuses on environmental and social sustainability, particularly in the municipalities of California, Suratá, and Matanza in Santander, a department of Colombia. Key features include:

• Community Processing: A portion of the plant’s capacity will be reserved to process material from local miners, providing a regulated alternative that avoids the use of mercury.
• Water Management: The plan is designed to protect local watercourses by managing clean and contact water separately. A recycling system allows for 96.5% water reuse, and the facility will not use cyanide or mercury.
• Local Employment: Peak construction is expected to create approximately 2,300 jobs, with long-term operations sustaining about 675 direct employees.
• Infrastructure: A rope conveyor will transport ore to the plant, reducing truck traffic and environmental footprint.

A complete Technical Report compliant with National Instrument 43-101 has been filed on SEDAR+ and with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on EDGAR.

Above photo: Commissioning of the second ball mill at Segovia. Photo credit: Aris Mining/X.

The $130 million USD equity investment includes a previously disclosed secured convertible note issuance of $40 million USD from Hoche Partners Pharma Holding S.A. in mid-October 2024, intended to provide Procaps with liquidity during a period of financial distress. This note has since been converted into ordinary shares. The remaining $90 million USD was raised through a private placement of ordinary shares. The investor group comprises Chemo Project S.A., Becaril S.A., Flying Fish Ventures L.P., Saint Thomas Commercial S.A., Santana S.A., Hoche Partners Pharma Holding S.A., and other undisclosed investors. This collective now holds approximately 90% of Procaps’ shares.

The involvement of Hoche Partners in Procaps’ financial restructuring follows a period of contention between the Chilean-origin investment firm and the company’s previous management. In November 2024, Procaps received notification from Nasdaq regarding the suspension of its stock listing after failing to file its Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

This situation arose after Hoche Partners Pharma Holding initiated legal action through the US law firm Gibbons P.C. due to identified irregularities in the company’s accounting. Hoche Partners had proposed a change in management to address the delays in financial reporting.

According to a letter submitted to the SEC by Gibbons P.C. on behalf of Hoche Partners in late October, the investment firm had offered a $40 million USD liquidity injection to Procaps on October 20, 2024. The proposal outlined an immediate availability of half the funds, with the remaining half to be raised and invested before the end of the year.

Gibbons P.C. stated that this offer was contingent upon changes in corporate governance and voting rights affecting the majority shareholders while allowing them to participate in capital increases. Another condition involved the majority shareholders reimbursing the company for expenses related to the accounting investigation. However, Procaps’ management reportedly rejected this proposal and presented counteroffers deemed “unacceptable” by Hoche Partners. Consequently, Hoche Partners withdrew its offer on October 28, 2024.

Despite the withdrawal, Hoche Partners now intends to play a significant role in guiding Procaps’ transformation and supporting its long-term strategy. The new shareholder base, which includes investors with experience in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors, is expected to actively participate in the company’s turnaround efforts.

Alejandro Weinstein, Chairman of the Board and representative of Hoche Partners, stated, “With this strong and committed investor group that trusts the future of Procaps, the company is now in a position to stabilize, rebuild trust, and create long-term value through operational discipline and a renewed strategic focus.”

Simultaneously, Procaps finalized a comprehensive restructuring of approximately $209 million USD in debt that was previously under forbearance. The agreement with key lenders includes:

• Extension of debt maturities and revised payment schedules to improve near- and mid-term cash flow.
• Reprofiling of financial obligations to align with the company’s operational turnaround timeline.
• Adjustment of financial covenants to better reflect current operations and the strategic plan.
• Preservation of liquid assets to support ongoing operations and strategic initiatives.
• As part of the debt restructuring, certain lenders have agreed to convert a portion of their debt holdings into equity in the company, indicating an alignment of interests with Procaps’ long-term prospects.

Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer Melissa Angelini commented, “This financial reset gives us the breathing room and flexibility to focus on what matters: rebuilding the core of the business and creating sustainable value.”

These financial maneuvers follow a challenging fiscal year 2024 for Procaps. The company’s current focus is on executing a turnaround strategy that includes addressing the findings of a previously disclosed internal investigation related to internal controls, governance, and financial reporting. Procaps is also in the process of finalizing the restatement of prior-period financial statements and intends to release its audited 2023 and 2024 financials as soon as practicable. The delay in filing its Form 20-F was a key factor leading to the Nasdaq delisting notification.

Additional elements of the turnaround strategy include implementing structural cost-efficiency measures, centralizing decision-making, and prioritizing margin expansion through operational discipline and business simplification.

In a significant organizational shift, Procaps has relocated its corporate headquarters to Bogotá, Colombia. This move aims to centralize strategic, financial, and executive decision-making closer to the company’s primary markets. However, the company’s operational footprint in Barranquilla, where manufacturing plants, product development, and other key operational teams are based, will remain unchanged.

The headquarters relocation is part of a broader internal reorganization that involves the centralization of finance, financial planning and analysis (FP&A), compliance, legal, and information technology (IT) functions. The company is also implementing leadership transitions to foster a performance-oriented management culture, enhancing governance structures, and strengthening internal controls, reporting mechanisms, and operating discipline.

To enhance accountability and improve commercial performance, Procaps is reorganizing its operations into five regional clusters: Colombia, Brazil (B2B), United States (B2B), Andinos (comprising Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia), and CENAM (including Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, and the Dominican Republic).

Furthermore, Procaps is actively pursuing strategic alternatives for non-core assets, with several discussions reportedly in advanced stages. The potential proceeds from these sales are intended for debt reduction and reinvestment in high-margin, strategic assets and operations.

With a restructured capital base and new leadership in place, Procaps states its focus is on restoring profitability through operational efficiency and cost control, reinforcing governance and transparency, delivering on its remediation plan, divesting non-core assets, and investing in innovation and commercial growth, particularly in prescription drugs and expanding its contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) global footprint. The company faces the ongoing task of addressing its delayed financial filings to regain compliance with Nasdaq listing requirements.

Greenberg Traurig, LLP advised Procaps as lead transaction and US counsel, Arendt & Medernach S.A. as Luxembourg counsel, and Philippi Prietocarrizosa Ferrero DU & Uria as Colombian and Peruvian counsel. FTI Consulting served as the company’s exclusive financial advisor.

Photo credit: Procaps Group website.

The company reported an 8% increase in total gold production compared to the 50,767 ounces produced in Q1 2024. Aris Mining stated that this production reflects operational momentum as it enters 2025. The commissioning of the expanded Segovia processing facility remains on track for the second quarter of 2025, with the company anticipating additional production growth in subsequent quarters.

Aris Mining has set its full-year 2025 production guidance between 230,000 and 275,000 ounces of gold. This guidance includes an expected production range of 210,000 to 250,000 ounces from Segovia and 20,000 to 25,000 ounces from the Marmato Upper Mine. The company noted that the Q1 2025 production figures provided in the release are approximate and may differ from the final results to be included in its 2025 interim financial statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), which are expected to be released in early May 2025 and filed on SEDAR+ in Canada and with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) via EDGAR.

Neil Woodyer, CEO of Aris Mining, commented on the company’s performance, stating, “Q1 production came in slightly ahead of our budget target, reflecting a solid operational start to the year. With the expanded Segovia processing facility set to be commissioned this quarter, we are well on track to deliver on our full-year production guidance of 230,000 to 275,000 oz.”

Segovia Operations – Q1 2025 Operating Information:

Marmato Upper Mine – Q1 2025 Operating Information:

Founded in September 2022, Aris Mining is a gold mining company focused on Latin America. The company’s strategy involves current gold production and cash flow generation, coupled with growth through expansions of its operating assets and exploration and development projects. Aris Mining operates two underground gold mines in Colombia: the Segovia Operations and the Marmato Upper Mine, which together produced 210,955 ounces of gold in 2024.

The company is currently undertaking expansions at its Segovia mill, which is expected to ramp up production in the second half of 2025, and the new Marmato Lower Mine, which is anticipated to ramp up production in the second half of 2026. These expansions aim to increase Aris Mining’s annual production rate to over 500,000 ounces of gold.

Additionally, Aris Mining holds a 51% interest in the Soto Norte joint venture in Colombia. Studies are underway for a smaller-scale development plan, with results expected in mid-2025. In Guyana, the company owns the Toroparu gold/copper project, diversifying its asset portfolio.

Aris Mining also stated its intent to pursue partnerships within Colombia’s small-scale mining sector and to consider acquisitions and other growth opportunities.

Photo credit: Aris Mining.

The company, founded in Barranquilla, Colombia, reported revenue growth of 65% and adjusted EPS growth exceeding 200% over the three-year period ending June 30, 2024. This growth reflects Tecnoglass’ strategic focus on vertical integration and high-end product offerings aimed at both residential and commercial markets in the Americas. With a manufacturing facility covering 5.6 million square feet, the company supplies architectural glass products to a client base spanning North, Central, and South America, with the U.S. accounting for approximately 95% of its revenue.

For more information on the Fortune list, the full article is available on Fortune’s website.

Fortune’s annual list considers publicly traded U.S. companies with consistent financial reporting to the SEC. Rankings are based on performance metrics over three years, including revenue, profits, and stock returns.

Tecnoglass CEO José Manuel Daes noted that the recognition highlights the company’s competitive positioning and strategic execution across its targeted markets, with a focus on sustainable growth through operational efficiencies and a diversified product portfolio.

About Tecnoglass

Tecnoglass Inc. is a supplier of aluminum and vinyl windows and architectural glass to the multi-family, single-family, and commercial markets. The company’s products are found in high-profile properties, including One Thousand Museum and Paramount in Miami, Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, and Via 57 West in New York. In addition to its U.S. presence, the company is a significant architectural glass manufacturer in Latin America.

Additional time is necessary to prepare and complete the company’s review of its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2023, in order for the company to file its annual report on Form 20-F, including with respect to an ongoing internal investigation initiated by the company´s Audit Committee with the assistance of external advisors into matters involving the company’s historical accounting treatment and associated financial statement disclosure related to a 2012 loan in the amount of approximately $2.5 million that involved related parties.

See Also: Procaps Names Jose Antonio Vieira (above photo) as New CEO

The company is working diligently to complete its financial statements in order to file its Form 20-F as soon as practicable before May 15, 2024.

The company expects to hold a business update call in conjunction with the filing of its Form 20-F and Earnings Release and expects to provide a further update regarding the date of the business update call.

Procaps asked in a statement that all questions be sent to ir@procapsgroup.com. Due to applicable securities laws, the company is unable to provide further details beyond what is publicly disclosed, and accordingly the company expects to address submitted questions in its applicable reports and during its conference call once the results are published.

Procaps has made preliminary determinations of certain results of operations. Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, is currently expected to be between approximately $425 and $433 million, compared to $409.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, with the difference primarily due to an increase in sales. Income for the year ended December 31, 2023, is currently expected to be between approximately $50 and $55 million, compared to income of $42.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, with the difference primarily due to the accounting treatment for non-cash shares and warrants held in escrow and an increase in non-recurring income.