Soma Gold gets first shipment from Diamantina Mine in Colombia

Soma Gold has announced a pivotal step in its Colombian operations, receiving the first formalised shipment of mineralised material from the Diamantina Mine to its El Limon Mill. This development, which follows over five years of efforts to bring the small-scale operation into compliance with Colombian regulations, sets a precedent for the integration of numerous other small mines on Soma's expansive 43,000-hectare property. The move is central to Soma's strategy to enhance gold production and coincides with significant upgrades, including the implementation of advanced ore sorting technology at its El Bagre Mill, poised to substantially boost processing throughput.

Formalization Milestone Signals New Era for Soma Gold in Colombian Mining

ZARAGOZA, ANTIOQUIA – Soma Gold Corp. has marked a significant operational and strategic achievement in Colombia, announcing the receipt of the inaugural shipment of mined material from the Diamantina Mine at its El Limon Mill. This pivotal development, confirmed on March 12, 2026, represents the culmination of more than five years of dedicated effort to formalise the Diamantina operation under stringent Colombian regulatory frameworks. The successful integration of Diamantina is not merely an isolated event but a foundational step in Soma Gold’s broader strategy to enhance its gold production profile by legally incorporating artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) operations within its vast concession footprint.

The achievement underscores the complexities and rewards of navigating the formalisation process in a region historically challenged by informal mining activities. For Soma Gold, it establishes a repeatable model for collaboration with small-scale miners, ensuring responsible resource extraction and bringing substantial quantities of previously unaccounted-for gold into its production stream. This move is expected to serve as a catalyst for expediting similar processes across the company’s extensive landholdings, ultimately bolstering its operational efficiency and output.

The Diamantina Breakthrough: A Blueprint for Sustainable Integration

The Diamantina Mine, now operating with full regulatory approval, has been authorised to produce a maximum of 40 tonnes per day (tpd) of mineralised material. Soma Gold intends for Diamantina to reach this peak output level by mid-year 2026, significantly contributing to the El Limon Mill's processing pipeline. In an immediate demonstration of the mine's potential, approximately 1,700 tonnes of accumulated material from Diamantina are currently being transported to the mill for processing, providing an instant boost to the mill's feed.

What makes the Diamantina formalisation particularly impactful is its status as the first successfully formalised operation among a cohort of 24 small mines that are actively in various stages of the compliance process with Soma Gold. Beyond this initial group, an additional 23 such operations are reportedly nearing completion of their formalisation. These mines form part of a much larger ecosystem of approximately 60 small mining operations that exist within Soma's extensive 43,000-hectare property in Colombia. The company’s innovative approach involves purchasing mineralised rock directly from these formalised entities, with payment structured as a portion of the gold recovered from each delivery. This symbiotic relationship provides legal avenues and economic stability for local miners while ensuring Soma Gold captures valuable resources from its concessions.

The successful formalization of Diamantina is a critical demonstration of how larger, corporatised mining entities can work effectively with local small-scale miners, transforming what was once an informal or even illicit sector into a regulated, compliant, and mutually beneficial enterprise. This model not only adds to Soma Gold’s production capacity but also contributes to socio-economic development and improved environmental stewardship in the region.

Strategic Expansion of Processing Capacity: El Limon and El Bagre Mills

To accommodate the anticipated increase in material from formalised small miners, as well as its own established operations, Soma Gold is strategically enhancing its processing capabilities. The El Limon Mill, which successfully resumed operations in the third quarter of 2025, is central to this strategy. It is designed to process ore from Soma’s wholly-owned Aurora and Escondida mines, along with the growing influx of mineralised material from partners like Diamantina.

Further bolstering its processing infrastructure, Soma Gold is implementing a significant technological upgrade at its El Bagre Mill. New ore sorting equipment has recently arrived in Colombia and is slated to become fully operational by mid-2026. This cutting-edge technology is expected to reach full commercialisation by the latter half of 2026. The implementation of ore sorting equipment is a transformative step for the El Bagre Mill, projected to increase its throughput significantly. Current processing capacity of 450 tpd is anticipated to rise to an impressive 700 to 750 tpd. Ore sorting technology works by using sensors to identify and separate valuable mineral particles from waste rock before the material enters the main processing circuit, thereby increasing the efficiency of the mill, reducing energy consumption, and lowering overall processing costs per tonne.

The ability to either process ore at the El Limon Mill or the upgraded El Bagre Mill provides Soma Gold with considerable operational flexibility. This dual-mill strategy, combined with the integration of ore sorting, positions the company to efficiently manage and maximise gold recovery from its diverse ore sources, including the increasing volumes from formalised small mines.

CEO Emphasizes Vision: Formalization as a Cornerstone for Growth

Geoff Hampson, CEO of Soma Gold, highlighted the strategic importance of this achievement. “We are pleased that, after many years of effort, we have completed the formalisation process for the first small mine on our property,” Hampson stated. He further expressed optimism regarding the ripple effect of this success: “We expect this will be a catalyst to begin formalising additional small miners and to expedite the completion of the process for those already in the pipeline.”

Hampson underscored that the formalisation of small miners has been a long-standing core component of Soma Gold’s growth strategy. “Formalisation of small miners has been a key part of our strategy for many years, and it is gratifying to see the first one complete. This is an important part of how we increase production and capture the gold being produced on our property,” Hampson concluded. His remarks reinforce the company's commitment not only to compliant mining but also to establishing a sustainable and inclusive operational model that harnesses the potential of the region's existing small-scale mining ecosystem.

For the broader mining industry, Soma Gold's approach highlights a pragmatic pathway for engagement with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sectors, which are prevalent in many mineral-rich developing countries. Such formalization processes mitigate environmental and social risks, improve working conditions, and bring economic benefits to local communities, while simultaneously providing legitimate and cost-effective ore sources for larger operators. Soma Gold's 2025 gold equivalent output stood at 18,670 ounces, making this expansion strategy critical for demonstrating significant growth in future reporting.

Implications and Future Outlook for Soma Gold and the Industry

The successful formalization of the Diamantina Mine is poised to have multifaceted implications for Soma Gold and serves as an important case study for the wider mining industry:

Production Growth: By integrating numerous small miners, Soma Gold is positioned for a substantial increase in its gold equivalent output. The initial 40 tpd from Diamantina, combined with material from the 23 other mines nearing completion and potentially more, will significantly contribute to Soma’s overall annual production figures, especially when fed into the expanded capacity of its mills.
Enhanced Social License: Operating formally and collaborating with local miners strengthens Soma Gold’s social license to operate in Colombia. This responsible approach fosters trust with local communities and government authorities, reducing operational risks and enhancing the company’s long-term sustainability.
Operational Efficiency: The implementation of ore sorting technology at El Bagre Mill is a game-changer for economic efficiency. By improving grade before processing, Soma can reduce reagent consumption, energy use, and overall processing costs per ounce of gold produced, directly impacting its bottom line.
Catalyst for Further Formalization: Diamantina’s success acts as a powerful incentive for other small miners on Soma’s property to join the formalisation process. The demonstrable benefits of legal operation, steady income streams, and potentially safer working conditions offer a compelling reason for informal miners to transition.
Blueprint for Responsible Mining: Soma Gold’s model provides a practical framework for other large mining companies seeking to engage with and formalize ASM operations in regions where this sector is prominent. It demonstrates that collaboration can be a successful alternative to mere coexistence or conflict.

As Soma Gold continues to formalise additional small miners and bring its enhanced processing capabilities fully online by the latter half of 2026, the company is strategically positioning itself for significant expansion. The combined impact of increased ore feed and higher processing throughput is expected to translate into substantially higher gold equivalent production in the coming years, solidifying Soma Gold’s standing in the vibrant, yet complex, Colombian gold mining sector.