A source from the police said the attack did not immediately appear to be connected with crime gangs or insurgents. The employees were shot at while travelling in a vehicle near the town in Antioquia province, the source said.

"Tragically, Oscar Alarcon was fatally wounded and the other employee was injured and is currently being treated and is in stable condition," Continental said in a statement.

The mining company said it was fully cooperating with local authorities.

(Reporting by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Sandra Maler)