In the last few weeks, devastating images showing the consequences of illegal mining in Colombia have emerged. Hundreds of square kilometers of forests and bodies of water completely devastated by machinery.
According to local authorities’ estimates, this practice is carried out in almost the entire territory. As highlighted in a report by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the State still has “deficiencies” in combating it.
Illegal Mining in Colombia: Devastating Consequences
Illegal mining in Colombia.
“Almost 29 out of the 32 departments in the country have identified and detected illegal mining activities,” stated the deputy prosecutor for environmental affairs, Gustavo Guerrero.
This statement came after the presentation of the first report on illegal mining in Bogotá by the entity responsible for ensuring collective rights.
This report is known as the National Report on Illegal Mining and Mercury Contamination in Colombia.
Mercury has been detected in natural environments in 26 departments, commonly used to extract precious metals from worthless sediments.
Approximately 70,000 hectares across the country are contaminated by mercury. This highly toxic element poses risks to water sources and the health of populations living near illegal mining areas.
Most Affected Departments
The affected territories cover at least 50% of the municipalities in the country. The main impacts are seen in the departments of Antioquia (northwest), Chocó (west), Boyacá (center), Santander (northeast), and BolÃvar (north), according to the report.
Illegal mineral extraction, controlled by criminal groups, occurs amid “serious deficiencies in the state’s response,” preventing the control of this phenomenon, added Silvia Méndez, external consultant and co-author of the report.
Colombia and illegal mining.
The sought-after resources
Gold represents about 62% of the country’s mining activities and has reached record prices in the international market since mid-year. Currently, in the United States, “a kilo of gold costs four times more than a kilo of cocaine,” stated Hakim Hasan, head of the Environmental Protection Program at the Office of Antinarcotics Affairs of that country.
Hasan contributed to the creation of the report. Close to 85% of gold exports from Colombia are of illegal origin, and at least 70% of irregular extraction comes from “activities conducted by organized groups outside the law.”
In its conclusions, the entity issued a series of recommendations to the State. These include strengthening monitoring, granting “temporary environmental licenses” to artisanal miners to avoid operating illegally, and establishing a state entity.
The latter, with the goal of “centralizing the purchase and commercialization of gold,” aims to improve the traceability of materials intended for export, according to Guerrero.
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