Colombia court rules provinces can restrict mining

Colombia’s constitutional court  struck down a law which requires mining permits be issued exclusively by the national government, a decision which could open the way for provincial and local authorities to restrict mining in their areas.

The 2001 law, which forbids regional and local authorities from declaring certain areas off-limits to miners and put the national government in charge of permit approvals, was voted down after local governments brought the case to court.

Source: Colombia Reports