The CMA represents explorers, producers and providers of goods and services related to the mining sector. It is the major mining association in Colombia as it represents 92% of national coal production.

WCA CEO Benjamin Sporton said: “We are proud to welcome the Colombian Mining Association to the WCA as our newest associate member and we are looking forward to working with them on issues ranging from sustainable mining practice to climate change.

“As a major exporter of coal, WCA is committed to engaging more deeply with the Colombian coal industry, national and regional stakeholders. The members of the WCA believe in a sustainable future for coal. This future is founded in operational excellence by integrating sustainability across our entire business model from our own operations through to supporting new technologies for coal utilisation.”

One of the main objectives of the CMA is to facilitate knowledge transfer across all of its affiliates and to work on improving the mining sector in its technical, environmental, social and human rights capacities, with the aim of achieving benefits that will extend to the regions and the country as a whole.

CMA President Santiago Angel Urdinola said: “It is very important to the Colombian Mining Association to be a member of the WCA which is the global industry network, representing international coal producers with the objective of ensuring a sustainable future for coal.”