BOGOTA, Dec 12 (Reuters) -

At least eight companies have qualified for Colombia's

copper, gold and polymetallic exploration round launching next

week, Carlos Ortega, vice president of promotion and development

at the National Mining Agency (ANM), told Reuters on Friday.

Colombia will offer 14 areas for copper production and

exploration, ANM President Lina Franco said on Friday.

The blocks included in this round, set to be launched next

Monday, are located in the departments of Antioquia, Cesar, La

Guajira, and Tolima, Franco added during an event in Bogota.

Canadian firm Aris Mining ( ARMN ) is among those already

qualified, Ortego said, while Rio Tinto is in the

process of securing its qualification.