Colombia close to launching copper innovation hub

2022.08.31

Arranged by the Quintil Valley innovation agency, and led by AngloGold Ashanti Colombia with the support of the Colombian mining association, seven mining companies operating in the country are working on the creation of a copper innovation hub.

The objective of the hub is to promote good practices, build an innovation network, discuss the use of copper and the possibility of its reuse, as well as collaboration between the different companies.

“Mining is going to evolve with the great challenges we face, including the energy transition and the reduction of emissions. We met to generate that inspiring copper agenda, to develop specific projects and be an accelerator,” said the manager of innovation and new business at Anglo Gold Ashanti Colombia, Andrés Felipe López, during the virtual event Challenges for Circular and Sustainable Mining organized by the South African mining company.

The seven mining companies are at different stages of exploration in departments such as Guajira, Cesar, Antioquia, Córdoba, Chocó and Putumayo. More companies, including suppliers, are expected to join.

López said that, among other things, the hub will share good practices at a technical, social and environmental level.

Key topics on which the hub will begin to work are the energy transition, the financial impacts that copper can have due to potential scarcity, uses of copper and the impact on different sectors, as well as the impact of mining on the development of suppliers and social innovation, among others.