Colombia will issue a
permit in April to allow AngloGold Ashanti to start work on
its La Colosa gold mine, Colombian Mines and Energy Minister Hernan
Martinez said on Monday.
Environmental officials halted exploration work on the large
mine prospect a year ago, saying drilling threatened forest
reserves. Martinez said environmental authorities have informed the
company they will get the permit shortly.
“They have promised (AngloGold) that after Easter Week they will
have the authorization,” Martinez told reporters on the sidelines of
the Inter-American Development Bank in Medellin.
The project has estimated reserves of more than 12 million
ounces. Production could start within five years once given the
go-ahead and La Colosa’s future output is estimated at 700,000
ounces of gold a year. (Reuters)