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FARC dissidents are likely behind a fatal attack on a
Canadian-operated mining project in central Antioquia.
Recent attacks against staff of Canadian mining company
Continental Gold by suspected FARC dissidents are likely related to
either extortion or attempts to dissuade formal mining operations
in illegal mining hot spots.
Both scenarios entail a heightened risk of homicide to staff
and property damage to mining projects operating in central
Antioquia above Medellín.
If the motivation is to dissuade formal mining, attacks are
likely to continue until projects are suspended or the perpetrators
are apprehended.
If the motivation is extortion, stopping attacks will involve
paying off armed groups, a criminal offence.
On 20 September 2018, suspected dissidents of the Fuerzas
Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC)'s 36th Front attacked a
mining camp operated by Canadian company Continental Gold in the
municipality of Yarumal, Antioquia. Three geologists were killed in
the attack and another three injured. On 5 September, an engineer
employed by the firm was killed in Buriticá, approximately 50
kilometres from Yarumal. It is unclear if both incidents are
related. There is significant illegal mining activity in Antioquia.
Government attempts to regulate informal miners have been met with
fierce resistance, affecting the operations of legitimate mining
companies operating in the department. In July 2017, approximately
6,000 informal and illegal miners protested against Canadian firm
Gran Colombia Gold's operations in Remedios and Segovia, and
against government decrees aimed at disrupting the processing and
sale of illegally extracted minerals. The protests included the
detonation of an improvised explosive device (IED) against a water
pipeline used by the firm, the arson of several vehicles, and the
use of live ammunition and grenades against state security forces.
Also in July that year, six Continental Gold contractors were
killed following an accidental gas explosion that occurred during
an inspection of an illegally constructed mining tunnel located
within the firm's concession in Buriticá.
Although the incident in Buriticá on 5 September could have
been opportunistic, the attack in Yarumal was deliberate. Two
motives for the attacks are most likely: Either the attack was
linked to extortion demands and perpetrated as a threat or
retaliation for an unmet payment demand; alternatively, FARC
dissidents, who alongside other criminal groups such as the Gulf
Clan are involved in illegal mining in Antioquia, are attempting to
dissuade the development of legal mining activities in the
area.
Outlook and implications
Both scenarios entail a heightened risk of homicide for staff
employed at formal mining projects as well as property damage to
assets, particularly vehicles. For example, In June, suspected
dissidents of the FARC's 36th Front destroyed an isolated, parked
helicopter deployed to support electricity pylon construction with
an IED in Toledo, northern Antioquia, in a suspected
extortion-related attack. Companies with operations, concessions,
or interest in the region, beyond Continental Gold and Gran
Colombia Gold, include Angel Gold Corp (Canada), Geophysics GPR
(Canada), Mineros S.A (Colombia), Red Eagle Mining Corp (Canada),
and Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (US), among others.
The area in central Antioquia in which the incidents have
occurred is remote, leaving isolated projects exposed to attack.
The operational environment is further complicated by local
community involvement in informal mining, which are likely to
support criminal groups attempting to safeguard illegal operations.
If the aim of FARC dissidents and other criminal groups is to
dissuade legal mining activity, further life-threatening assaults
are likely, particularly against isolated, poorly guarded project
sites or staff in transit, as criminal groups attempt to raise the
human cost of operating in the region. If extortion is the primary
motivation, mining firms will find themselves caught between the
legal risk associated with paying off illegal armed groups and the
risk of retaliation.
The threat posed by FARC dissidents is likely to increase in the
next 12 months as their numbers grow. Uncertainty around the
implementation of the 2016 peace agreement signed with the
government is likely to push more former combatants into joining
dissident groups. Public statements from mining operators that they
are being subject to extortion demands would clarify the motivation
behind recent attacks and help state authorities identify which
projects are at particular risk. A rise in the gold price, which
fell by approximately 9% during the past six months, would provide
greater incentive for illegal mining and likely lead to greater
efforts by criminal groups to protect their business interests.