The engineer Giovanny Franco Sepulvedawho had been serving as Vice Minister of Mines since last October 20, presented his resignation as of this Thursday, March 2.
This resignation is added to that of the Vice Minister of Energy, Belizza Ruiz, who left the Ministry of Mines and Energy last January. He was only four months in this position.
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The resignation of the vice-minister of Mines occurs after the past February 20 several congressmen made a public complaint about conflict of interest of this official because of the relationship he has with mining multinationals.
“We express our concern about the closeness and public support of the Vice Minister of Mines, Giovanny Franco Sepúlveda, with mining multinationals such as Aris Mining, Max Resource Corp and Libero Cobre, expressed in different publications from their Twitter account,” they said in a letter.
Copper and molybdenum are strategic minerals for the Just Energy Transition. we received a @LiberoCopper to analyze strategies so that copper is processed and transformed in our country, and thus begin the productive chain in Putumayo. pic.twitter.com/ACeuh5bUL0
— GIOVANNI FRANCO SEP (@FRANSEGIO) February 15, 2023
Likewise, he pointed out that, while President Gustavo Petro publicly expresses his opposition to the Minesa company’s large mining project in Santurbán, the vice minister has issued messages of support for this mining exploitation.
“The actions of the Vice Minister of Mines It causes a serious risk to public propertybefore eventual international arbitration processes that companies may file”, they add.
“The Ministry of Mines and Energy thanks engineer Franco Sepúlveda for his work in the vice ministry and wishes him success in his new projects,” the entity said.
Given the importance of the issues led by the Vice Ministry of Mines, the current Vice Minister in charge will be appointed Director of Mining Formalization, Johana Rocha Gómez.
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She is a lawyer, with postgraduate studies in Human Rights, International Humanitarian Law and Political Science. She has more than 15 years of professional experience and solid knowledge in international, environmental and mining law.
“The Ministry of Mines and Energy continues to work for a energy just transitionFacing the country, to move towards responsible mining, it supported the private sector and hand in hand with the communities, seeking a balance between the economic, social and environmental aspects,” the ministry said.
