We have two significant projects related to our activities, executed with rigorous evaluations and the guidance of experts who support the application of operational, environmental, and social standards.
La Puente Project
Since 2017, in compliance with an order from the Constitutional Court, mining activities have been suspended towards the Bruno Stream. To date, no progress has been made in that direction, which has been verified by officials from the National Mining Agency and the National Environmental Licensing Authority, who carry out periodic inspections of the situation.
Social Consultation Process with the Communities
Regarding the social aspect, the consultation process with the Campo Herrera community, the only community recognized by the Ministry of the Interior, was concluded in 2014. Later, the Guajira Court determined the need to carry out consultations with other nearby communities. Agreements were reached with the communities of La Horqueta (2020), El Rocío (2022), and consultations with the Tigrepozo community are currently underway.
Highlighted Environmental Initiatives at the Bruno Stream
In the environmental field, an ecological engineering process has been implemented in the new course of the Bruno Stream, which now flows naturally. This process has been recognized as excelling in several areas:
- Over 12,000 trees planted in the new course, along with another 5,800 naturally grown trees, totaling 17,800 trees of 76 native species, some of which are endangered, such as oak, ebony, guayacán de bola, carreto, puy, and ollita de mono.
- Identification of nearly 400 species of fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, with the sighting of ten jaguars, whose presence is an indicator of ecosystem health.
- Protection of the source of the Bruno, Stream through the planting of more than 33,500 trees across 235 hectares, as part of a plan to preserve the upper watershed and ensure it remains a water recharge zone.
Continuous Monitoring to Ensure Ecosystem Health
Since the start of the project, 23 quarterly monitoring campaigns on fauna, hydrobiology, and flora have been carried out over the past five years. These studies have scientifically demonstrated that the Bruno Stream remains in good condition and retains the same characteristics as other streams in the region.
Key Aspects of the Bruno Stream
- The Bruno Stream is a seasonal stream, with a wet period from May to December and a dry season of eight months from January to April, and June to September.
- Cerrejón does not extract water from the Bruno Stream for its mining operations, supporting its preservation.
- The water quality of the Bruno Stream remains excellent, and after proper treatment, it is suitable for human consumption.
#ElBrunoEstáMuyVivo: commitment to Conservation and Biodiversity
Video sobre cómo se encuentra el arroyo bruno
Frequently Asked Questions about Arroyo Bruno
- Nearly 400 species of fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, have been identified. Among them, the sighting of three jaguars stands out.
- More than 12,000 trees from 76 native species have been planted and established.
- 5,800 trees, such as oaks, puy, ebony, and carreto, have naturally grown.
- 235 hectares at the source of the stream have been protected with the planting of more than 33,500 trees.
- Regular monitoring is conducted.
The project was shared with over 7,000 people and consulted with the communities identified by the different entities:
Campo Herrera, consultation completed in 2014.
In 2022, a follow-up and closure meeting was held for the consultation process carried out with the Campo Herrera community, achieving 100% compliance with the agreements . This process took place within the framework of the environmental procedures for the partial modification of the Bruno Creek channel. The achievements include the expansion of the territory, the implementation of an agricultural production project, the construction of a community nursery, and ongoing monitoring through a community member acting as a supervisor.
La Horqueta, consultation completed in 2020. 100% of the consultation agreements were implemented. The achievements include the expansion of the territory, the provision of animals, the construction of a traditional shelter for cultural activities, and ongoing monitoring through a community supervisor.
El Rocío, consultation completed in 2022.
The implementation phase is underway. According to the agreed-upon terms, three types of programs are being developed: strengthening productive projects, enhancing cultural initiatives, and involving the community in environmental compensation programs.
Tigre Pozo, consultation ongoing.
Achievements include the identification of impacts and management measures, with progress being made in formulating preliminary agreements. Additionally, in 2022, together with multiple families from the Tigre Pozo and El Rocío communities, we managed to conserve over 250 hectares of forest located within the middle and upper basin of Bruno Creek. These restoration processes are part of the conservation agreements signed in October 2019, which are included in the plan for this project.
Throughout the entire process, Cerrejón has maintained a commitment to fostering an informed, constructive, and respectful dialogue with the stakeholders in the project and allowing their work and support to contribute to the successful completion of the projects.
The stream is located between the boundaries of Albania and Maicao. It originates in the high area of the Serranía del Perijá within the protected forest reserve Montes de Oca, and its course flows southeast-northwest over a distance of 22.4 km before emptying into the Ranchería River.
According to data from IDEAM, this stream is of the seasonal type, with a wet period occurring annually in May and from October to December. It experiences drought from January to April and from June to September. Its flow varies depending on the time of year and the section in which measurements are taken: upper, middle, or lower reach.
- Upper Basin: It is the place where the stream originates. Due to being the area with the highest precipitation and lowest evaporation, there is a greater presence of water compared to the lower section, and it constitutes the recharge zone of the aquifer.
- Middle Basin: This area, known as La Batea, is used by local communities for recreation, vehicle washing, and occasional water collection by people from communities with temporary restrictions on wells or ponds. To improve the water supply from the stream, the company is implementing conservation actions in this area with community participation.
- Lower Basin: In this section, the seasonality of the stream is more marked, depending on the rainy and dry periods. There is no agricultural or fishing activity, and there are no human settlements nearby
The works involved relocating a 3.6 km section 700 meters to the north, in compliance with Colombian legislation, and applying technology to support the stream’s ecosystem.
The La Puente project was licensed and executed in compliance with Colombian legislation, applying technologies to support the stream’s ecosystem. It was also evaluated in 2016 by the Interinstitutional Working Group ordered by the Administrative Court of La Guajira, which confirmed its viability.
The works for the La Puente project were approved by the Ministry of Environment in 1998 and included in the Environmental Management Plan in effect since 2005. Detailed designs were submitted to the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA) and approved in 2014, with the purpose of maintaining the current levels of production, royalties, benefits, and jobs for the company.
Closing Strategy and Handover of Operations
At Cerrejón, we are focused on the responsible management of our natural resources. Since the beginning of our operations, we have designed a comprehensive strategy for the termination of mining titles and the handover of operations, with the aim of effectively mitigating and managing environmental and social impacts. This strategy has as its horizon the completion of our contracts, scheduled until February 2034.
To ensure responsible closure, we regularly assess the risks associated with our operations. Identifying these risks allows us to define the appropriate management measures, which serve as the basis for estimating closure costs and ensuring their inclusion in the company’s financial provisions. This process is updated annually to reflect changes resulting from current interventions, environmental conditions, and business realities.
Our legal commitments are detailed in the mining operation contracts, the current Environmental Management Plan, the Preliminary Closure Plan registered with the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA), and the environmental regulations established by this authority.
The closure methodology we employ considers planning processes, internal and external requirements, and environmental, social, and financial considerations throughout the life cycle of the mining operation.
Progressive Closure Measures and Environmental Rehabilitation
As part of our strategy, we implement progressive closure measures to help reduce the environmental and social impacts of our mining activity. These include the progressive rehabilitation of affected areas, the reservation of land for biodiversity conservation, and the development of social programs that promote sustainable productive alternatives to mining in the La Guajira region. Our goal is to ensure a responsible closure, with social and environmental well-being at its core.
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Proyecto La Puente
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Estrategia de cierre y entrega de operaciones
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