Second Cerrejon bombing in ten days

Ana Komnenic | October 23, 2013 | 8:45 pm Energy Top Companies Europe Latin America Coal

Coal mine, El Cerrejon | (Image from Wikimedia Commons)

FARC rebels have yet again bombed Colombia’s largest coal producer Cerrejon, derailing a train Tuesday evening.

There were no injuries and exports will not be immediately affected, Cerrejon noted in a news release.

This is FARC’s second Cerrejon bombing in ten days. Rail service had just been restored after an October 13 attack and is now down again.

“An explosive device was detonated near the kilometre 15 mark causing the derailment of 7 of the 123 cars,” Cerrejon wrote.

The affected train was headed to Puerto Bolivar – Latin America’s most important coal terminal.

Reuters says FARC rebels also bombed the country’s No. 2 oil pipeline, the Cano Limon-Covenas, on October 7. The pipeline remains closed and many have been left without power.

FARC initiates the attacks as a form of protest against the presence of foreign companies in Colombia. Cerrejon, which accounts for 40% of Colombia’s coal exports, is a joint venture between Anglo American, BHP Billiton and Glencore Xstrata.