The Manaure Salt Mine is located in the north of Colombia, specifically in the middle zone of La Guajira.
It is an open-air strip-mining operation, formed by the sea, the sun and the strong winds in the area. From 1940 to 1991 it experienced a production boom, directly impacting hundreds of families.
Liquidation of the Industrial Development Institute (IDI)* - 1991
However, in 1991 the IDI, which was the entity in charge of the exploitation of the national salt mines, was liquidated. The State required that there be continuity, authorizing the creation of a national economic society.
Creation of SAMA** - 1991
In compliance with this new ruling, SAMA was created, which represents the Wayúu communities. At that time, the corresponding percentages of the control and operation of the salt were not defined. This led to one protest after another until in 2003 the government ceded 76% of the salt mines to SAMA and the other 24% to the municipality.
However, it was made a condition that a private company must be contracted to operate them for the Wayúu people. This condition was not accepted, for which SAMA operated autonomously and in 2010 declared bankruptcy, leaving millions in losses.
"White Bride of Colombia"
Due to the above and because we believe, we are sure that if the exploitation of the salt mine is reactivated, it could mitigate the problems of La Guajira and our Wayúu people, who are mired in poverty, lack of education, migration of indigenous people, and the worrying number of children who die daily from malnutrition.
Today more than ever before we must look to the "white bride of Colombia".
Today more than ever before we must look to the Manaure Salt Mine.
*Instituto de Fomento Industrial (IFI)
**Salinas Martimas de Manaure Ltda. (Maritime Salt Mines of Manaure, Ltd.)
Edited: Andru Shively (VUB)