Other Extractive Industries in Colombia

Aside from oil and gas, Colombia's extractive sector also produces the following minerals.

=Coal=

Colombia is the USA’s largest source of coal imports. The country's coal deposits are concentrated in the Guajira peninsula in the north and in the Andean foothills. The coal is relatively clean-burning, with a sulfur content of less than one percent.

Colombian coal production, which is exclusively carried out by private companies, nearly doubled between 2000-2009, and the Colombian government aspires to double production again by 2019.

According to Mining and Energy Minister Mauricio Cardenas in December 2011, Colombia was producing coal at an annual rate of 75 millions tons per year, a figure which should reach 100 million tons by 2015. Nearly all of the output is exported and Colombia is in the top five or six global coal exporters. According to Cardenas, "it's been a matter of improving security and having a business-friendly government. That's what has done the trick".

Coal Bed Methane (CBM)
Coal Bed Methane (CMB) is a gaseous hydrocarbon that occurs along with coal reserves. According to mining company Drummond, Colombian mines could contain up to 2.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of CBM, and CBM has the potential to dramatically increase Colombia's proven natural gas reserves.

=Gold=

Gold production in Colombia climbed more than 30% over 2011 as a result of high prices for the mineral, attracting both multinational corporations and guerrilla and paramilitary groups who use the resource to finance the ongoing conflict, according to the New York Times.

In 2010 there were more than 40 international companies exploring for gold in Colombia and the government hopes to produce around three million ounces of gold in 2012, worth approximately half a billio dollars in the market by prices in early 2012 (compared to 1.57 million ounces in 2009 and only 501,500 ounces in 2006).

=Gems=

Historically Colombia has been recognizes as an important producer and the world's leading exporter of emeralds.

According to the US Geological Survey, between 1995-2005 the country produced 47% of the world's emeralds. As of 2010 remained the top producer of the largest stone, although it may have been surpassed by Zambia in terms of overall output. Reports in 2010 suggested that the country was seeing a boost in exports due to demand from the Indian market for its emeralds.

=Nickel=

According to government estimates, as of 2011 Colombia had six nickel deposits with measured reserves totalling 37.8 million tonnes and 46.48 million tonnes in indicated reserves. The government aspires to increase nickel production to 105,000 tones by 2019.

=Other resources=

Colombia also produces: platinum, iron ore, lead, steel, silver and zinc.

=References=