La Loma, May 12, 2025
Drummond Ltd. received officials from the Mining and Energy Planning Unit (UPME) at its mining operations, located in the department of Cesar, who toured different key areas, including the Cañahuate I Photovoltaic Solar Park, one of the company’s main renewable energy projects.
“During this visit we shared our commitment to an energy, productive and social transition that benefits our neighboring communities. We are convinced that sustainable development goes hand in hand with the generation of opportunities and well being for the regions where we operate,” said Beatriz Zapata, government affairs manager for Drummond Ltd.
During their visit to the Cañahuate I Park, our visitors were able to see that it is made up of more than one hundred thousand highefficiency bifacial solar panels, with single-axis tracking technology, which allows them to follow the position of the sun and optimally capture the radiation, both that which they receive directly from the sun and that which they receive from the refraction of the sun on the earth. The park has an effective capacity of 54 MWp and covers an area of approximately 117 hectares.
They were also able to learn how the energy generated by this wind farm is integrated into the National Transmission System (STN), a technical challenge that has required innovative solutions in the transformation centers, the elevator substation and its connection to the La Loma substation in Cesar. This solar park, which generates energy for use in the mining operation, also delivers its surplus to the National Transmission System. With this, the company seeks to reduce its carbon footprint.
“This type of strategic visit allows us to know what the private sector is betting on during the transition to non-conventional energy sources. It is also important to know what their process is in relation to mining closures and, above all, to know what their bets are for productive diversification in the territories,” said Tatiana Araque Mendoza, deputy director of mining at the UPME.
As part of the tour, UPME officials also visited different environmental areas of the company, where they were able to see first-hand Drummond’s commitment to responsible and sustainable mining. During this visit, concrete examples of the restoration of areas previously affected by mining activities were presented, demonstrating the company’s responsibility for the recovery of ecosystems and the protection of the natural environment.
In addition, they viewed projects focused on the production of natural gas, which is used as a source of energy for the company’s mining operations, thus contributing to greater energy efficiency and emissions reduction.
At the close of the day, company leaders presented Drummond’s main social and environmental management indicators to visitors, reaffirming the company’s commitment to the sustainable development of communities, the energy transition and the progressive decarbonization of its operations.
UPME’s visit reinforces the technical dialogue between the industry and the National Government entities, with a view to continue advancing towards a modern, efficient mining industry aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Testimonials
Testimony of Tatiana Araque Mendoza, Deputy Director of Mining at UPME.
Testimony of Beatriz Zapata, Government Affairs Manager at Drummond Ltd.