Recent photographs published by Vanguardia have exposed a potential oversight by the Government in the protection of the Santurbán páramo, a vital ecosystem. The images show a mine shaft in an area of influence of the páramo, where illegal mining continues to expand despite existing restrictions. According to the media outlet, in the municipality of California (Santander), a mountain has lost a significant portion of its vegetation cover as a direct consequence of mining exploitation, and more than 200 mine shafts are reportedly accounted for in the area.