COThe Colombian Minister of Environment, Irene Vélez, participated in a high-level United Nations debate focused on the governance of natural resources. She emphasized the importance of strategic minerals for transitioning to clean technologies but warned against repeating extractive practices that harm ecosystems and communities, particularly in the Global South. Vélez highlighted that most of these minerals come from regions with rich biodiversity and historically marginalized populations, arguing that benefits should not be concentrated in the Global North. She discussed the prevalence of informal and illegal mining in Colombia, noting that 90% of mineral production comes from small-scale operations. However, weak governance allows criminal economies to capture parts of the supply chain, especially in gold mining, which involves significant environmental damage through mercury contamination. Vélez called for international cooperation to ensure transparency and traceability across the entire supply chain of strategic minerals.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the minister's statements objectively, highlighting her concerns about environmental and social impacts of mineral extraction without overtly favoring any political stance. It includes balanced perspectives on both the necessity of strategic minerals for green technology and the
