An 87-year-old farmer in Colombia is at the center of a legal and environmental battle against a proposed copper mine, as local activists and officials oppose the project's potential impact on water sources.
Porfirio Garcés, an 87-year-old farmer from the rural hamlet of Palo Cabildo in Colombia’s western Andes, is part of the ‘Jerico 11’ group facing kidnapping charges for opposing the Quebradona copper mine. The project, backed by AngloGold Ashanti through its subsidiary Minera de Cobre Quebradona, has sparked significant local resistance due to concerns over the protection of water sources and environmental degradation. Garcés, who lives in Jericó, emphasizes the importance of preserving the region’s water, which supplies not only his hometown but also several neighboring towns in the Antioquia region. A sign on his property reads, “Yes to water,” reflecting the community’s stance against the mine.
The exploration licence for the Quebradona project was initially granted in 2007 and extended multiple times. However, in 2019, the National Environmental Licensing Authority halted the project due to insufficient technical data, requiring the company to conduct new studies. Recently, the National Mining Agency approved an extension of the exploration phase until December 2027. Despite the lack of mining activity, the current far-right government has prioritized expanding mineral extraction, intensifying tensions in the region. Local organizations have declared AngloGold Ashanti and Minera de Cobre Quebradona unwelcome entities, citing environmental and social concerns over the project.
Why it matters
The farmers’ presence at the mine site has triggered legal and administrative responses from local authorities.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.
What to watch
Watch whether the ombudsperson’s office takes further action on the farmers’ request to remove workers.
This section reflects Dumpling editorial interpretation and is provided for context only.