Every mining operation needs an environmental licence, and the Environmental Impact Assessment, or EIA, is the document used to apply for it. The study evaluates the project's effects on water, soil, wildlife and communities, and defines the measures that will manage them. In mining the procedure starts directly with the EIA, without a prior alternatives assessment.
Which Environmental Authority evaluates it
The size of the project does not decide whether a licence is needed, because every operation needs one, but which authority evaluates it. Larger-volume projects go to the national Environmental Authority and the rest to the regional Environmental Authority, according to a threshold the regulation sets for each mineral. For gold and other metallic minerals that volume is calculated on all material moved, both ore and waste. A project in the buffer zone of a National Natural Park always goes to the national authority.
What the study contains
The EIA follows the official terms of reference for mining operations and, in addition to describing the project, brings together these components:
- Baseline: describes the state of the area before intervention, in its physical, biotic and social components.
- Associated permits: includes the water use or forest use permits the project requires.
- Impact assessment and management plan: identifies the expected effects and defines the measures to manage them.
- 1 % investment plan: required when the project draws water from a natural source.
Since 2026 closure is no longer part of the EIA, because it has its own plan submitted with the PTO.
From determining competence to a licence under review
First we establish which authority is competent according to mineral, volume and location. We then collect the baseline in the field, prepare the EIA to the official terms of reference and prepare the filing with its annexes. During evaluation, the Environmental Authority visits the project and may request additional information once only, in a meeting recorded in minutes, after which there is one month to deliver it, extendable once. We accompany you at the visit and at that meeting. Granting or denying the licence is a decision of the Environmental Authority.
Legal framework
- Decree 1076 of 2015, arts. 2.2.2.3.2.2 and 2.2.2.3.2.3Which Environmental Authority evaluates, by mineral, volume and location
- Decree 1076 of 2015, art. 2.2.2.3.4.2Projects requiring an alternatives assessment, which do not include mining
- Decree 1076 of 2015, art. 2.2.2.3.5.1Minimum content of the Environmental Impact Assessment
- Decree 1076 of 2015, arts. 2.2.2.3.6.2 and 2.2.2.3.6.3Filing, site visit, additional information and procedural deadlines
- Resolution 2206 of 2016 of the Ministry of Environment (TdR-13)Terms of reference for the mining EIA
- Resolution 1402 of 2018 of the Ministry of EnvironmentGeneral methodology for environmental studies
- Decree 0742 of 2026, art. 2.2.5.14.2.1, paragraphClosure leaves the EIA; terms of reference and guarantees pending regulation
Regulations reviewed in October 2026. This is general guidance; the decision on each procedure rests with the competent authority.
