Overview
- Lawmakers approved, in a first vote, extending the mining formalization registry to December 31, 2026, with 60 votes in favor, 36 against and 8 abstentions.
- The plenary must hold a second vote within seven days, and the Executive has signaled it may observe the bill if it weakens controls or restores excluded registrants.
- Prime Minister Ernesto Álvarez and Energy Minister Luis Bravo presented the government’s position for a shorter extension plus safeguards such as IGAFOM approval, valid RUC, payroll registration and continued exclusion procedures.
- Key provisions that drew controversy, including suspending exclusion processes and allowing the return of roughly 50,000 previously removed entries, were carved out for separate votes during the debate.
- Congressional leaders split over scope and terms: Fernando Rospigliosi supported a one‑year extension and rejected reincorporations, while left‑wing blocs largely favored a longer prolongation, as industry groups warned the registry can serve illegal mining.