The National Government has spoken of a policy of accelerating the energy transition. The Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene Vélez, has assured that an effort is being made by the government to “massification of renewable energies”.
(Why minerals are important in the energy transition).
During the National Mining Congress, Vélez assured that this could entail risks such as an exacerbation of extractivism.
It should be remembered that to carry out this plan, a series of strategic minerals are required, such as copper and nickel, for example, that they cut across almost all renewable generation technologies. Amylkar Acosta, former Minister of Mines and Energy, assured that to generate three megawatts of solar energy some 5.5 million tons of copper are needed, so it is essential that production is maintained and perhaps it should be increased to cope with the demand that will occur in the coming years.
In fact, from 2022 to 2027 it is estimated that 10.2 gigawatts of photovoltaic solar energy will enter the system (about 60% of the size of the current energy matrix).
This has put in the debate the role of mining to support the energy transition.
(Energy transition would be consolidated in two decades, according to an expert).
In fact, Juan Camilo Nariño, president of the Colombian Mining Association (ACM), assured that for the first time in the national debate the fundamental role of this industry for the future and sustainability of the country was being discussed. In this regard, several leaders of industry have stressed the role that their operations will play in supporting this campaign plan that seeks to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy.
“Minerals are required for any energy transition and to live, so these will continue to be exploited, whether in Colombia or anywhere else,” said Ricardo Gaviria, president of Cerro Matoso.
The operation of this company produces ferronickel, used for the manufacture of stainless steel. Likewise, nickel is considered fundamental for the development of projects of nine generation technologies, among which are wind, hydraulic and geothermal.
However, the mineral that is transversal to any type of technology is copper. In Colombia, although there is exploration and several projects carrying out the process to produce this metal, the fact is that only one mine currently extracts it. This is El Roble in Carmen de Atrato, Chocó.
One of the companies that is in the process of receiving the green light and starting to build the mine is Minerales de Córdoba at its El Alacrán project. In this regard, Santiago Varela, general manager of the company, pointed out that “It is important that the government promotes the exploration of these metals.”
To this, Sarah Armstrong, CEO of the same mining company, added that for the government plan to be fulfilled, there must be effective support for the sector.
Now, does this mean that the government should promote exploration rounds for minerals considered strategic? Minister Vélez assured that it is possible that they will give new mining titles to advance in this process.
“We have never said that we are not going to award new titles”, assured. Although the minister stated that the option would be reviewed, she said that one of the tasks was to review the methodology. “I’m not sure this is the figure. We have to review how it has worked, this is a pending review.” assured.
Gaviria pointed out that “Before talking about the government promoting new rounds, the invitation is that they know our operation.” He highlighted that the deepening in the learning of the companies can extrapolate applicable learning.
(Orderly and gradual, this will be the route of the energy transition).
During his speech at the closing of the National Mining Congress, President Gustavo Petro opened the doors to the exploration of strategic metals, stating that those that are required are nickel and copper and not so much minerals such as coal. .
Ian Harris, CEO of Libero Copper, assured that the country has sufficient resources to make the transition. “Our Mocoa project has the capacity to carry out the entire energy transition of the country, there is enough material”said.
So far, the company is in the exploratory phase and hopes to advance in all the licensing and permit procedures to begin construction, with which in 2030 it could start producing what would be one of the largest and strategic projects in the world. the transition.
power generation
For some years now, the country has been promoting both conventional (hydro) and non-conventional (wind and solar) renewable energies. The generation is produced in a large proportion with hydroelectric plants and when the level of reservoirs drops, the thermal ones (coal, gas or diesel) begin to work.
With the renewable auctions that were promoted in the last government, between 2022 and 2027 the Upme expects about 10.2 megawatts of solar energy to enter, that is, 62% of the energy assigned by this entity. It is followed by 17% of wind and the same proportion of hydroelectric. In other words, the matrix would almost double in size with these projects.
Daniela Morales Soler
