Colombia’s Senate will address illegal armed groups’ use of mining to generate income, reported W Radio Monday.
Controlling illegal mining, along with improving mine safety standards, will be a priority on the Senate’s legislative agenda, Minister of Mines and Energy, Carlos Rodado Noriega, told the radio station.
“Here the state, the police, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Ministries of Mines, Environment, and Interior need to work together, because this is an issue of public policy,” he said.
Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC have taken up the illegal mining of gold to finance their armed conflict with the state, President Juan Manuel Santos said Saturday.
So far, the National Police have arrested 15 people linked to illegal mining.