Cerrejon
Cerrejón is a Glencore-owned open-pit thermal coal mining operation in Colombia's La Guajira department that produces ~19 million tonnes annually for export through an integrated 690+ sq km mine, 150 km railway, and Puerto Bolívar deepwater port, employing over 13,000.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersBogotá, Colombia
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Cerrejon does
Cerrejón is a wholly-owned Glencore subsidiary that operates one of the world's largest open-pit thermal coal mines spanning over 690 square kilometers in Colombia's La Guajira department. It runs an integrated mine-to-ship operation: extraction at the mine, transport over a 150-kilometer owned railway, and maritime export through the Puerto Bolívar deepwater terminal on the Caribbean coast. In 2024 the operation produced 19.2 million tonnes of high-quality thermal coal for electricity generation, with 2025 production reported at 16.8 million tonnes. Sales are made directly to international energy buyers via negotiated multi-year contracts; no public price list exists and pricing is set bilaterally with global utilities and traders.
Revenue is generated almost entirely through integrated coal export, with no other commercial product lines. The company employs over 13,000 direct and contracted workers, of whom 60% are from La Guajira. The business model is commodity-export driven, with competitive advantage anchored in ownership of end-to-end logistics (rail + deepwater port) that compresses third-party handling costs and supports consistent delivery against international buyers. Customer-facing GTM is direct enterprise sales into the global thermal coal market during a period of energy-transition demand softening.
Cerrejón's operating posture is defined by regulatory and social-license management rather than growth. The company operates under Colombian Constitutional Court Sentence T-704 (435 community agreements signed as of end-2024), IFC Performance Standards (compliance audited across Standards 1, 5, 7, and 8), ICMM Sustainable Development Framework, and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. It has resettled five communities totaling 189 families, rehabilitated 5,200+ hectares of mined land, planted more than 3.7 million native trees, and invested COP 456 billion in environmental programs and COP 87 billion in social programs in 2024 alone (plus COP 895 billion in national royalties and COP 79 billion in local taxes). These investments are defensive — they preserve the right to operate under tightening environmental, indigenous-rights, and energy-transition scrutiny.
Cerrejon firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Cerrejon
- Legal name
- Cerrejón
- Website
- https://cerrejon.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Cerrejón is a Glencore-owned open-pit thermal coal mining operation in Colombia's La Guajira department that produces ~19 million tonnes annually for export through an integrated 690+ sq km mine, 150 km railway, and Puerto Bolívar deepwater port, employing over 13,000.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Cerrejon industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Thermal Coal Mining and Export
- NAICS
- Surface Coal Mining (212114), Coal Mining (2121), Coal Mining (21211)
- SIC
- Bituminous Coal & Lignite Surface Mining (1221), Bituminous Coal & Lignite Mining (1220)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Thermal Coal Mining (Steam Coal) (IMAKAIAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Coal Extraction Operations (Surface & Underground) (IMAKAIAG), Coal Preparation & Beneficiation (Washing, Crushing, Screening) (IMAKAIAH)
Keywords
Where Cerrejon is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bogotá
- HQ country
- Colombia
- HQ region
- Latin America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Cerrejon business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Thermal Coal Production and Export: Cerrejón produces high-quality thermal coal for electricity generation and exports it globally through its integrated mine-to-ship operation. The operation covers extraction at the mine, rail transport over 150 km, and maritime export via Puerto Bolívar.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Thermal coal for international energy markets |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Cerrejon product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Cerrejón extracts high-quality thermal coal from its open-pit mine in La Guajira, Colombia, producing approximately 19.2 million tonnes annually. The company operates an integrated mine-to-ship logistics chain including a 150 km railway and the deepwater Puerto Bolívar port, exporting thermal coal directly to international energy buyers for electricity generation.
Product overview
Cerrejon is an integrated coal mining operation consisting of three core components: an open-pit coal mine spanning over 690 square kilometers in La Guajira, a 150-kilometer railway system for transporting coal, and Puerto Bolívar, a deep-water port terminal for export. The company produces approximately 19.2 million tonnes of thermal coal annually, connecting the mine in La Guajira to international markets through its integrated mining-rail-port operation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Thermal Coal High-quality thermal coal produced from the open-pit mine in La Guajira, Colombia, used primarily for electricity generation. Approximately 19.2 million tonnes produced in 2024 and exported to international energy markets through the integrated mine-rail-port logistics chain. Sold to enterprise energy buyers and global markets during the energy transition.
Quantifiable outcome
- 5,200+ hectares of previously mined land rehabilitated and transformed into regenerated forests
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Cerrejon
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Cerrejon technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Cerrejon partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Veolia Aguas de La GuajiracoreCerrejón entered a partnership agreement with Veolia Aguas de La Guajira and the Municipality of Barrancas to improve the water supply systems for Papayal and Oreganal communities. Cerrejón contributed COP 1,746 million and Veolia COP 533 million of a total COP 2,279 million investment for aqueduct improvements benefiting over 530 users.
- Fundación OmachacoreCerrejón operates its Wildlife Rehabilitation Center jointly with Fundación Omacha. The center is designed to shelter, care for, and rehabilitate animals requiring specialized attention, contributing to wildlife conservation in La Guajira.
- Municipality of BarrancascoreThrough a tripartite agreement with Veolia Aguas de La Guajira, the municipality of Barrancas partnered on water infrastructure projects (Papayal and Oreganal aqueduct improvements) benefiting local communities in the area of influence.
- Indigenous Communities of La GuajiracoreCerrejón conducts ongoing social dialogue, prior consultation (consulta previa), and compensation negotiations with over 450 indigenous communities in La Guajira, including Roche, Patilla, Chancleta, Tamaquito II, Las Casitas, and Tabaco. By end of 2024, 401 agreements had been reached with indigenous communities under the T-704 Supreme Court ruling.
- International Finance Corporation (IFC)coreCerrejón's resettlement programs are conducted in compliance with IFC Performance Standards. The company follows IFC standards 1, 5, 7, and 8 for resettled communities, and the Third Party Review panel was convened following IFC guidance.
- Third Party Review Panel (TPR)coreAn independent expert panel convened in 2008 to evaluate Cerrejón's social performance. Panel members included Professor John Harker (Cape Breton University), Salomón Kalmanovitz (Jorge Tadeo Lozano University), Nick Killick (International Alert), and Elena Serrano (Casa de la Paz, Chile). Of 24 commitments, 22 have been fulfilled.
- United Nations Global CompactcoreCerrejón adhered to the UN Global Compact in 2005 and published its first Human Rights Policy aligned with Colombian law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Updated in 2011 to align with UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
- International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM)coreCerrejón joined ICMM in 2011, committing to its Sustainable Development Framework. The company is also aligned with the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights.
- Trust ConsultoresminorIn 2021, Trust Consultores developed Cerrejón's third Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA), identifying real or potential impacts on human rights of people and groups connected to Cerrejón's activities and those associated with suppliers, contractors, and business partners.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Cerrejon competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Arch Resources: Major US thermal and metallurgical coal producer with export-oriented operations via the US Gulf Coast. Comparable to Cerrejón as a publicly listed pure-play coal miner focused on seaborne thermal coal markets.
- Whitehaven Coal: Australian thermal coal producer focused on seaborne exports, particularly to Asia. Comparable in business model (open-cut thermal coal export) and customer overlap with Cerrejón.
- Peabody Energy: One of the world's largest thermal and metallurgical coal producers, exporting from US and Australian basins. Directly comparable to Cerrejón as a major seaborne thermal coal exporter with global offtake.
- PT Bukit Asam: Indonesian state-owned thermal coal producer with integrated mine-rail-port infrastructure. Comparable to Cerrejón as an integrated thermal coal exporter focused on Asian power generation markets.
- Glencore Coal Operations (Australia): Glencore's Australian thermal coal assets (Bulga, Liddell, Ulan, Mangoola, Ravensworth). Direct sibling and operational peer to Cerrejón, sharing the same parent and similar open-cut thermal coal export business model.
- PT Adaro Energy: Indonesia's largest thermal coal exporter, integrated mine-to-port operations serving Asian power markets. Comparable to Cerrejón as a major seaborne thermal coal exporter with vertical integration.
- Yancoal: Australia's largest thermal coal exporter with multi-mine operations and port infrastructure. Directly comparable to Cerrejón as a major thermal coal exporter with integrated mine-rail-port logistics serving Asian markets.
Broad incumbents
- Anglo American: Diversified global mining major that divested its Cerrejón stake to Glencore. Broad incumbent peer — overlapping exposure to thermal and metallurgical coal alongside copper, iron ore, and platinum.
- BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA): World's largest seaborne metallurgical coal exporter, operated by BHP (formerly a Cerrejón co-owner). Broad incumbent comparison — diversified mining major with significant coal exposure alongside copper, iron ore, and other commodities.
Regional players
- Drummond Company: US-based thermal coal producer with significant Colombian mining operations. Regional peer — comparable Colombian thermal coal exposure and Atlantic/ Caribbean export focus, though smaller scale than Cerrejón.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks1 record
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Cerrejon social profiles
Digital presenceCerrejon financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Cerrejon leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Cerrejon funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Cerrejon M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Cerrejon
What does Cerrejon do?
Cerrejón extracts high-quality thermal coal from its open-pit mine in La Guajira, Colombia, producing approximately 19.2 million tonnes annually. The company operates an integrated mine-to-ship logistics chain including a 150 km railway and the deepwater Puerto Bolívar port, exporting thermal coal directly to international energy buyers for electricity generation.
Is Cerrejon a public or private company?
Cerrejon is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Cerrejon founded?
Cerrejon was founded in 1986. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Cerrejon based?
Cerrejon is headquartered in Bogotá, Colombia, in the Latin America region.
How does Cerrejon make money?
One revenue line is on record: thermal Coal Production and Export.
Who are Cerrejon's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Arch Resources, Whitehaven Coal, Peabody Energy, PT Bukit Asam, Glencore Coal Operations (Australia), PT Adaro Energy and Yancoal. Broad incumbents are Anglo American and BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA). Drummond Company is listed as a regional player.
Does Cerrejon have an API?
No public API is recorded for Cerrejon.
What industry is Cerrejon in?
Cerrejon's product category is Thermal Coal Mining and Export. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAIAA, Thermal Coal Mining (Steam Coal), with a secondary code of IMAKAIAG, Coal Extraction Operations (Surface & Underground). Its NAICS code is 212114 and its SIC code is 1221.