New law amends the administration of the general department of Mines

Arias | On February 12, 2026, Law No. 1275, "Law to Attach the General Department of Mines to the Office of the Attorney General," entered into force. Through this law, the National Assembly transferred the General Department of Mines formerly under the Ministry of Energy to the Office of the Attorney General, through the National Attorney’s Office for the Defense of the Environment and Natural Resources (the "National Attorney’s Office").

The new law grants the National Attorney’s Office authority to direct, control, and supervise the administration of the mining concessions and licensing regime, including the processing, negotiation, granting, suspension, and cancellation of concessions. Consequently, all processes and formalities related to mining concessions and licenses must now be carried out before the National Attorney’s Office, which will be responsible for implementing all procedures, requirements, and obligations established under Law 387, the "Special Law on the Exploration and Exploitation of Mines."

The amendment also modifies provisions of the Law on the Organization, Powers, and Procedures of the Executive Branch and other sector regulations, to align them with the new institutional framework. As part of this change, it mandates the transfer of budgetary resources, assets, and systems assigned to the General Department of Mines to the Office of the Attorney General.

ariaslaw.com