In 2026, troops of the Fourth Brigade have intervened 17 mining production units, the disablement of 13 heavy machines, 21 dredgers and 2 excavators in the department.
In the fight against the illicit extraction of mining deposits, troops of the 32nd Light Infantry Battalion of the Fourth Brigade, and the UNIMIL Police (Special Operations Group Against the Illicit Exploitation of Minerals), carried out several military operations against constructions intended for illegal mining extraction, and directly hit the logistical and productive capacity of the organized armed groups specialized in this illicit activity.
In the first intervention, in the La Pulga sector, a rural area of the municipality of Buriticá, a mining production unit and three mining extraction units were broke up, where 10 electric motors, 7 underwater motor pumps, 9 electric motor pumps, 8 hammer drill-type electric motors and 4 air-generating electric motors were destroyed. This action represents an estimated loss to illicit production of more than 30 million pesos per day.
In the second operation, seven Mining Production Units were intervened, and the destruction of 19 electric motors and 8 underwater motor pumps, as well as the confiscation of 1,000 grams of mercury were reported. With a 176 - 378 grams of gold daily estimated production, this military operation generated an economic loss of more than 200 million pesos per day.
Additionally, in a wooded area of difficult access, a truck used as a logistical support point for this illicit activity was destroyed, where four portable gasoline-powered electricity generators were found by troops, used to supply power to motor pumps and extraction tools. The benchmark technical evaluation of these equipment amounts to 6 million pesos. In the same way, in another specific action, three electrical generators, two hammer drill-type motors, a buffalo-type air generator, a saw-type motor and associated electrical wiring were destroyed, with an estimated loss of 26 million pesos.
Through these operations, Colombian National Army reaffirms its commitment to the protection of natural resources, the fight against illicit activities and the security of the department of Antioquia's territory.
Source: Colombian National Army - Seventh Division Press
