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Although hydrocarbons and mining are completely different, the Large Scale Mining sector faces many of the same public relations challenges that the petroleum sector faces. Political commentators accuse it of polluting and failing to pay its ‘fair share’ for the results of its activities. Communities look to extract services and investment that the Colombian state fails to provide in return for peace. Congressmen look at the sector’s profits and wonder how they can get a bigger slice of the pie for the public purse. In this context, what President Santos might say to the Large Scale Mining’s second annual conference has relevant things to say about the government’s attitude towards resource industries or extractive industries in general.