Bogotá, February 10, 2025 – Colombia’s Constitutional Court issued a historic ruling (T-029 of 2025) protecting the rights of communities and workers affected by coal mine closures in Cesar, particularly those impacted by the closure of the La Jagua and Calenturitas mines. The ruling underscores the need for mine closures to be carried out fairly and with respect for the people who have depended on this economic activity for years.
An Urgent Call for Participation and Dialogue
The Court ordered Prodeco, the mining company, to establish a participatory dialogue process with affected communities. The aim is to ensure that decisions about the closure and its consequences are made collectively, with the participation of all relevant stakeholders.
The company had convened only one meeting in 2022, leading the Court to conclude that previous commitments had not been fulfilled. It has now called for a broad dialogue and negotiation forum involving communities, public authorities, and trade unions to discuss compensation measures and environmental, social, and economic restoration.
Recommended reading: Statement from the organizations on this ruling.
Just Energy Transition: Ensuring No One Is Left Behind
This ruling is a crucial step toward building a just energy transition in which communities and workers who have historically depended on mining are not left behind. Mine closure should not be treated merely as an administrative process, but as an opportunity to ensure that affected people have access to measures that enable them to adapt and thrive under a new economic model.
A Future Grounded in Social and Environmental Justice
At POLEN Transiciones Justas, we welcome the Court’s decision and support the call for a broad dialogue and negotiation forum. It is time for Prodeco to fulfill its commitments on environmental restoration and socioeconomic compensation.
This ruling reminds us that a truly just energy transition must be inclusive and equitable, and that mine closure must be a process in which communities have meaningful participation.
You may also be interested in: “The Regulatory Gap Regarding Perpetual Impacts in Mining”, a document that supported the technical submission presented to the Court.