CANADA; COLOMBIA —Aris Mining Corporation has completed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the Soto Norte gold-copper deposit situated in Santander, Colombia, initiating community consultation sessions prior to submitting its environmental license application. The technical mine plan for concession 0095-68 was previously granted approval by the National Mining Agency on July 29, 2026. Aris Mining Corporation is a Canadian gold producer listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange, operating the Segovia and Marmato underground operations in Colombia with a broader strategic objective to scale long-term output across its Latin American portfolio.
This initiative represents a key milestone for regional resource extraction, unlocking access to proven and probable mineral reserves estimated at 4.6 million gold ounces alongside valuable copper and silver by-products. The progression of Soto Norte follows recent policy revisions by Colombia's Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development under the current administration, which revoked restrictive land reserve measures under Resolution 1037, reverted temporary reserve timelines via Resolution 1277, and annulled progressive paramo delimitation frameworks via Resolution 1278. These regulatory actions effectively eliminate major statutory constraints that previously created operational uncertainty for resource developers in the region.
The underlying strategic framework directly impacts South America’s mining sector and regulatory governance models by integrating formal corporate infrastructure with local artisanal operations. The redesigned operational layout features a 3,500-tonne-per-day processing capacity, allocating 750 tonnes daily to process ore from small-scale regional miners. By producing metal concentrates without utilizing mercury or cyanide, the site aims to mitigate historical environmental degradation linked to informal mining practices, establishing a potential blueprint for public-private collaboration across emerging mining districts.
For global investors and capital markets, the commercial viability of Soto Norte provides significant upside potential, backed by an anticipated 22-year mine life projecting average annual production of 203,000 gold ounces. Over its operating timeframe, the project is projected to generate approximately $2.6 billion in income taxes and $393 million in state royalties based on baseline pricing models. Successful environmental permitting will allow execution of final construction decisions, offering a key catalyst for corporate production growth while driving regional infrastructure development and employment across local economies.
