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Strategic Minerals for Climate Change and the Energy Transition: The Mining Contribution of Colombia

Author

Listed:
  • Jheyson Andres Bedoya Londoño

    (Department of Materials and Minerals, Faculty of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Av. 80 #65-223, Medellin 050041, Colombia)

  • Giovanni Franco Sepúlveda

    (Department of Materials and Minerals, Faculty of Mines, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Av. 80 #65-223, Medellin 050041, Colombia)

  • Erick De la Barra Olivares

    (Business School, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo 1780000, Chile)

Abstract

To transition to carbon neutrality by the year 2050, copper, lithium, rare earths, cobalt, nickel, and silver are essential due to their use in the manufacture of electric cars, lithium batteries, wind turbines, solar panels, motors, and electrical wiring. The main goal of this study is to carry out a mining approach of the prospective areas of Colombia with strategic minerals for energy transition and climate change, analyzing the geospatial location, mining rights, mineral extraction, and royalty collection. Open data from SGC, ANM, and SIMCO geoportals were consulted. The prospective areas totaled 311,535.2 km 2 , equivalent to 27.3% of Colombia, and were located mainly in the Andes Mountains. The total area of mining rights and applications with strategic minerals for the energy transition is 112,802.2 km 2 or 9.9% of Colombia, representing 5731 rights and 3939 applications. From 2012 to 2023, 448,330 tons of nickel, 172.9 tons of silver, and 171.6 tons of copper were mined in Colombia, which has contributed USD 513,140,286 as royalties to the state. No royalties have been earned from the extraction of rare earths, lithium, or cobalt. Fulfilling the Paris Agreement is possible with new sustainable mining projects of strategic minerals.

Suggested Citation

  • Jheyson Andres Bedoya Londoño & Giovanni Franco Sepúlveda & Erick De la Barra Olivares, 2023. "Strategic Minerals for Climate Change and the Energy Transition: The Mining Contribution of Colombia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-18, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2023:i:1:p:83-:d:1304521
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    References listed on IDEAS

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