FARC reintegration chief assassinated in south Colombia
“Corruption cost Colombia’s peace process $119M”
Colombia suggests top guerrilla leader killed in Venezuela
Renowned economist designated Colombia’s new finance minister
Truth Commission: Colombia needs radical policy changes to...
Colombia’s controversial moment of truth
At least 49 dead after ‘prison break attempt’...
Colombia’s incoming government begins “total peace” offensive
Colombia investigating bullfighting tragedy
Petro’s first moves to restructure Colombia’s government
  • About
  • Support
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
Colombia News | Colombia Reports
  • News
    • General
    • Analysis
    • War and peace
    • Elections
    • Economy
    • Culture
    • Sports
    • Science and Tech
  • Travel
    • General
    • Bogota
    • Medellin
    • Cali
    • Cartagena
    • Antioquia
    • Caribbean
    • Pacific
    • Coffee region
    • Amazon
    • Southwest Colombia
    • Northeast Colombia
    • Central Colombia
  • Data
    • Economy
    • Crime and security
    • War and peace
    • Development
    • Cities
    • Regions
    • Provinces
  • Profiles
    • Organized crime
    • Politics
    • Armed conflict
    • Economy
    • Sports
  • Lite
  • Opinion
Economy

Colombia rail blast slows transport at Cerrejon coal mine: Media

by Adriaan Alsema July 15, 2012

Coal train

An explosion on a railway line that feeds into Colombia’s biggest coal miner, Cerrejon, slowed transport between the mine and a Caribbean port in northern La Guajira province, local media reported Saturday.

The attack on Saturday, just as a coal train was passing by, was likely carried out by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, Caracol Radio cited police commander Elver Velasco Garabito as saying.

The blast, which blew up eight metres (26 feet) of track between Uribia and Puerto Bolivar, didn’t cause major damage to the train or knock it from the rails, Julian Gonzalez, Cerrejon’s vice president of social responsibility told Caracol.

Cerrejon officials could not immediately be reached for comment by Reuters. Cerrejon is jointly owned by BHP Billiton , Anglo American and Xstrata.

The railway line has suffered scores of attacks since Cerrejon began operations and demonstrates how vulnerable energy and mining companies remain to attacks from Colombia’s various insurgent groups.

A government offensive over the past decade against the drug-funded FARC has improved stability and helped attract billions of dollars of foreign direct investment, mostly in the oil and mining sectors, to boost economic growth.

Still, attacks against economic infrastructure have increased in recent months as the rebels seek to gain the upper hand over the government.

Colombia is the world’s fourth largest coal exporter behind Indonesia, Australia and Russia.

Colombia’s coal industry is dominated by big producers with their own port and rail facilities such as Cerrejon, Glencore and U.S. miner Drummond.

Cerrejoncoaleconomymining

Trending

  • At least 49 dead after ‘prison break attempt’ in west Colombia

  • Truth Commission: Colombia needs radical policy changes to end conflict

  • Renowned economist designated Colombia’s new finance minister

Related articles

  • Gross domestic product

  • Labor and unemployment

  • Scholars’ drastic solutions for Colombia | Part 1: renegotiating free trade

  • RSS

@2008-2019 - Colombia Reports. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by Digitale Zaken and Parrolabs


Back To Top