According to a report by BNAmericas on May 7, in the coming months, the Colombian government will submit a bill to Congress proposing reforms to the Mining Act that has been in effect since 2001. If approved, the new Mining Act will grant the government greater powers, including the authority to exploit strategic mineral resources. According to reports, the draft of the new Mining Act stipulates that, within designated strategic mineral zones, activities throughout the entire mining cycle will be prioritized for allocation to the Colombian Geological Survey, state-owned industrial and commercial enterprises, and public-private partnerships; public-private partnerships may also be established. Another key priority of the state is the creation of a Colombian National Mining Company, which would take the lead in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of strategic minerals. Meanwhile, the revised draft of the new Mining Act introduces an additional pre-exploration preparation phase to the mining cycle. During this phase, contractors must engage in communication with local communities, develop community management plans, and obtain both exploration permits and environmental permits from the national mining regulatory authority. This phase will last at least two years, or even longer in some cases. In addition, the new Mining Act proposes several new measures, including a ban on issuing new licenses for thermal coal production, stricter environmental oversight, and support for small-scale and artisanal mining operations.