Glencore’s (LSE:GLEN) Cerrejón coal mine in Colombia has suspended rail operations after parts of its railway network were hit by explosives.
The attack occurred late on 22 September around 60km from the municipality of Uribia, damaging infrastructure used to transport coal from the mine.
Cerrejón says all personnel were evacuated as a precaution and no injuries were reported.
Rail operations have been halted while the damage is assessed, although mining operations continue.
“Since early this morning on 23 September, the National Army has deployed troops to secure the area and oversee the inspection of the infrastructure,” the company says.
Cerrejón says it will conduct its own assessment once the area is considered safe to enter.
“This is the sixth attack we have recorded this year against our infrastructure,” the company adds.
Repeated disruptions
The Cerrejón open-pit coal operation in northern Colombia is owned by Glencore and is one of the world’s largest of its kind. The complex includes the mine, a 150km railway, and a dedicated export terminal on the Caribbean coast.
Operations were suspended for around 10 days earlier this year due to road blockades by local communities.
By June, Cerrejón had faced nearly 80 blockades in the first five months of the year, many linked to protests over a lack of basic services in surrounding communities.
Write to Jackson Chen at Mining.com.au
Main Image: Cerrejón
