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Senator Julio Miguel Guerra Sotto has submitted a bill to create a formal social license for mining operations, a measure that other authorities and lawmakers have suggested for the hydrocarbons industry,

The director of the DNP Simón Gaviria Muñoz visited Yopal, Casanare to meet with local authorities and deliver a message that the government plans to get to the heart of the regions’ dissent and address royalty compensation.

The national government has issued a decree that sets requirements on local hiring for the hydrocarbons industry, obliging oil companies to hire municipal residents for both skilled and unskilled labor positions.

Industry associations from the mining, energy and infrastructure sectors have elaborated a joint document for the government that offers proposals to alleviate problems associated with prior consultation requirements, which industry representatives say are putting at risk key projects.

The USO held a vote among its affiliates associated with Ecodiesel, part of the Ecopetrol (NYSE:EC) group, and the majority voted to opt for a strike before heading to tribunals to resolve differences in a proposed collective bargaining agreement.

The Labor Minister Luis Eduardo Garzón went to Yopal, Casanare to discuss a new law that would limit the role of the Community Action Committees (JAC) in the hiring of local skilled and unskilled labor for the oil industry. Local leaders however accused the government of only tending to the interests of the oil companies.

Government promises to reroute crude from the south through pipelines to Ecuador have gone unfulfilled, while Casanare is abuzz with both cooperative work between authorities and the industry, but also criticism. These and other stories in our routine review of road and transportation related stories.

A senator from the human rights commission wants to see more positive impact from hydrocarbons on the local community, a Meta representative says the department is getting cut short on royalties. These and other stories in our regular wrap of royalty coverage.

More than three years after protests led to a dialogue between Pacific Rubiales (TSX:PRE) and municipal leaders, the implemented program which stemmed from the talks is being cast as a model for other regions to follow.

The direct negotiation phase of collective bargaining between Ecodiesel and the USO ended last week and workers will vote on Tuesday, October 14 whether to strike or not.