Drummond Ltd. received a visit at its mining operations located in the Department of Cesar from the Minister of Mines and Energy, Irene Velez, and her team, and the President of the National Hydrocarbons Agency, Clara Guatame.
“The main purpose of this visit was to show Drummond Ltd.’s responsible and sustainable mining and its work with local governments and the community,” expressed Jose Miguel Linares, President of Drummond Ltd.
During the visit, the delegation learned about the company’s sustainable management, taking a tour of the different areas. Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Carolina Riaño highlighted the company’s work toward the sustainable development of communities and a just and responsible transition in the region. She also highlighted the social investments in areas such as education and healthcare, the company’s contributions to the economy of the region and the country, and the process under way to contribute to economic transformation and energy transition.
Drummond Energy (DEI) Country Manager, Alberto Garcia, then presented the efforts in the areas of hydrocarbon exploration and power generation led by DEI, a company belonging to the same parent company, Drummond Company.
The tour began at the North Dump, where, as explained by Environmental Manager Amilcar Valencia and Director of Environmental Compensation Armando Calvano, the company implemented its ecological recovery protocol. The area of 431.74 replanted hectares currently hosts a variety of native forest species. Valencia and Calvano took advantage of the opportunity to talk about the company’s actions to prevent, mitigate, and compensate the impacts of the operation as part of its commitment to taking care of and conserving the environment.
The group then went to Dispatch, the operating center of Drummond’s mining operations. Jorge Hinojosa, Superintendent of Production, explained to them how Dispatch monitors and controls the entire shovel and truck operation, employing strategies that contribute to employee safety, such as the Center for Attention to Sleepiness and Fatigue (CASF).
At the end of the first day, Ricardo Urbina, Vice President of Human Resources, shared with the group the company’s current figures on employees and contractors in its different operations and administrative areas, and about its legal and extralegal benefits plan.
Also participating in the visit were Paulo Gonzalez, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Drummond Company, Juan Pablo Arteaga, Vice President of Sustainability at Drummond in Colombia, and Alfredo Araujo, Vice President of Community Relations and Government.
On the second day of the visit, Drummond’s environmental team showed the Minister the realignment of the San Antonio Creek, which was done in accordance with the highest technical and environmental standards. In addition, Martin Ahrens, Vice President of the Materials Department, presented the waste tire plant, a successful example of circular economy, which reuses the tires’ rubber and steel for civil and industrial uses.
“We think Drummond has made enormous progress in the area of circularity, reusing some of its mining implements. For example, these huge tires we see back there go through an entire process of reuse and recycling. This is very important because it allows us to use fewer materials and take advantage of the ones being produced as part of the mining operation,” highlighted Minister Irene Velez.
Suppliers and communities
By meeting a sampling of local suppliers, the Minister was able to hear stories about the growth of companies in Cesar, such as Xagua coffee, Agua Perija, Aseres, and Villa Loly, which provide their services to the mining company and have grown thanks to its support.
There was also an opportunity to talk with community leaders from the municipalities in the mining corridor, who shared their views about the social and environmental contributions they have received throughout the years from Drummond.
Drummond Energy
The Country Manager of Drummond Energy, Alberto Garcia, presented to Minister Velez and the President of the ANH, Clara Gautame, the company’s different options for developing hydrocarbon assets, including coalbed methane, and the potential of developing natural gas projects in naturally fractured reservoirs.
“It’s important to take advantage of this opportunity to tell the mining sector and the country that this government is committed to guaranteeing the acquired rights of the mining companies, and that we are here to help them achieve their goals of carbon neutrality and circular economy, while ensuring they meet all of the social, environmental, and human rights requirements,” confirmed Minister Irene Velez at the close of her visit.