The company's purpose, both in Switzerland and abroad, is: to control, as a holding company, companies that operate coal mines, primarily in Colombia and also internationally, as well as other mining companies; to create, acquire, hold and manage companies, excluding companies that hold residential real estate in Switzerland; to provide services to mining companies and to provide support, particularly in administrative, financial, technical and commercial matters; to register and exploit patents and trademarks, as well as licenses, know-how and intellectual property rights in general, and to trade in these rights; to trade in various basic products, particularly metals and minerals, both physically and through derivatives and other products. It may carry out, either on its own account or on behalf of third parties, all commercial, financial, movable or immovable transactions (except those prohibited by the LFAIE) that are directly or indirectly related to its main purpose. It may also establish branches and/or subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad. The company may also grant loans to its associates and/or guarantee, secure or co-sign loans granted by third parties to its associates.