MINING IN COLOMBIA

MINING IN COLOMBIA

1. CHARACTERISTICS

   • There are 3 types of mining in Colombia:
     • FIRST ONE (ARTESANAL MINING): It is the done by hand, on a small scale, with spikes, shovels, even badea and other elements. This method is the way to survive many displaced agricultural communities.
     • SECOND ONE: It is medium scale and is carried out with machinery such as backhoes.
     • THIRD ONE: It is large-scale and is elaborated by internationals.
   • It has helped to promote the economy of the country, because we are a region rich in natural resources (minerals), so multinationals see here a business opportunity.
   • Generate employment. Some multinationals provide employment to people who will be affected by mining executions.
   • It causes irreversible damages and alterations in people and environment

2. SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS

   • Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities are forced to displacement due to violence carried out by armed groups or because multinationals impose it.
   • Many Colombia's native/scarce communities have died, as they consume contaminated water full of toxics like mercury, suffering from cancers and irritations or because they breathe contaminated air.
     • One example, pregnant women who consume toxic waters can cause their newborns to physical alterations or simply cause them abort.
   • The rights of poor, indigenous and / or Afro-Colombian communities are violated.
   • Communities being forced to migrate to big cities must put aside their old customs and traditions.
   • Since populations are exposed to displacement they must change their way of subsistence, so they must leave behind agricultural practices.

3. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

   • That due to the use of toxic materials such as cyanide in mining projects, natural sources of water, underwater sources, soil and air get contaminated.
   • That many natural reserves such as moors, springs, natural parks, indigenous reserves, among others are exposed to mining practices, destroying the flora and fauna of those places.
   • The bigs industries doesn't care about the ENORMUS damage they do to the ecosystems and the living things that reside there, they only care about the money.
   • The noise generated by the extraction of minerals with explosives causes hearing damage to the helpless and innocent animals.

4. MINING AREAS

   • U'WA´S TERRITORY
     • U'wa Indigenas are willing to die to protect their mother earth, since, an industralist has planned to carry out exploration grounds in their territories, these wells are opened by explosives which are obviously going to deteriorate the environment.
     • U'wa Indians will be affected in economic, social and cultural fields.
   • ANTIOQUIA
     • it will be converted into the mining district of Colombia and this will be achieved through the help of international companies and the reduction of artisanal mining
   • GUAMOCÓ
     • Although it is rich in minerals, it is surrounded by violence and poverty, and its rights are violated daily. Guamocó has one of the largest gold deposits on the planet and is therefore targeted by many multinationals.
   • LA TOMA, SUÁREZ, CAUCA
     • A municipality of working people, which subsists on the basis of activities such as fishing, agriculture and especially artisanal mining. the problem is that big industries and their mining lifestyle is over.
   • WAYÚU TERRITORIES IN LA GUAJIRA
     • The Wayuu communities (in La Guajira) suffer from lack of water, since there is a coal mine near the river and it has contaminated the water. The community feels that the government has abandoned them, since, the supposed dienero that was going to be invested in their health, economy and others was never really invented, the government stole it.

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