Colombia protects 42% of its Amazonian territory from mining and oil

Environment Desk.- Gustavo Petro’s government declared 483,283 square kilometers of the Colombian Amazon, nearly 42% of the national territory, as a renewable natural resource reserve, a measure that closes the door to new mining concessions and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation contracts.

The decision comes just hours before Petro ends his term this Friday, and establishes a permanent restriction on new mining projects, a topic that is indeed a priority for his successor, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella.

Read more: Lamine Yamal wears the yellow Colombia jersey at the Medellín Flower Festival

The initiative was adopted through Resolution 0961 of the Ministry of Environment, with which the Government seeks to avoid new extractive activities in Amazonian territory and reduce pressure on its forests, water sources, ecosystems, and biodiversity, as it is estimated to be home to 10% of all known species.

The declaration maintains the rights acquired prior to its entry into force, so that activities that already have contracts, titles, or permits may continue within the established conditions and terms.

However, these projects will not be able to extend their activity through new extensions once the current authorizations expire.

The protection area also includes protection zones in the departments of Amazonas, Caquetá, Guainía, Guaviare, Putumayo, and Vaupés.

The process to declare this protection began in 2025, when the Ministry of Environment presented the draft resolution to exclude the Amazon from new mining activities and hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation.

The proposal was subjected to a prior consultation process with the indigenous peoples of the region, which formally began at the end of June of this year, before the Government made the final decision.

The Ministry of Environment has maintained that the measure seeks to protect a strategic ecosystem for Colombia and the planet, while at the same time promoting actions for conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of natural resources.