VZCZCXYZ0008
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBO #1076 0451501
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 141501Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2719
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
RHMFIUU/DEPT OF ENERGY WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY UNCLAS BOGOTA 001076 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS:      
SUBJECT: TRAGEDY STRIKES ARTESENAL COAL MINES IN COLOMBIA 
 
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED -- PLEASE TREAT ACCORDINGLY 
 
1.(U) On February 3rd and 6th, two highly publicized coal 
explosions occurred in isolated areas of Colombia, resulting 
in forty deaths. Both are methane gas related in Colombian 
owned mines. The first occurred in Sardinata, Norte de 
Santander, causing the deaths of 32 miners, the deadliest 
mining accident in Colombia in more than ten years. 
Operations have been suspended pending GOC investigation. 
The second accident occurred in Gameza, Boyaca, causing the 
deaths of 8 miners. This mine was unlicensed and the workers 
had no social security protection. One of the victims was 
underage (age 16; the minimum legal age to work in mines in 
Colombia is 18). This mine has been shut down.  Both of these 
mines were locally owned and operated by Colombians -- there 
was no foreign capital or involvement. 
 
 2. (SBU) GOC Ministry of Mines and Energy officials told 
econoffs artesenal mines are very common in the mountainous 
regions of Santander, Boyaca, and Antioqiua. They are small 
and difficult to regulate due to their isolated locales and 
security risks for GOC officials. The relatively minimal 
output is used locally to generate electricity, provide 
heating, or local manufacturing. 
 
 3. (U) The mine in Boyaca was unlicensed and the workers 
salaries and benefits were not being paid in accordance with 
Colombian law. One of the victims was 16, well below the 18 
year old minimum the law requires to work in mines. 
 
4.(SBU) GOC officials report that illegal mines are on the 
increase given the rise in coal prices since 2005. INGOEMINAS 
(the government department within the Ministry of Mines and 
Energy responsible for all mining matters) estimates that out 
of the 3000 mines in Colombia, an estimated 1000 operate 
without permits.  With only 50 inspectors for the entire 
country, INGOEMINAS freely admits that they lack capacity to 
effectively monitor mine activity. The widespread press 
attention brought to these incidents has increased attention 
to the existence of these mines, and their poor labor 
practices that has generated political pressure for 
INGEOMINAS to more actively regulate illegal mines. 
DRUCKER