Table of contentsHistorical context of ColombiaThe Colombian mining industryTypes of miningChallenges in the mining industryEconomic, environmental and social impactEthical issues in the mining industryMarmatoCampaigns against miningThe role of government in the mining industryThe extraction of mineral resources in Colombia has been a source of survival and wealth for the Colombian people. Trying to adapt to the times, the needs of industry and international investment, the government has expanded the areas that can be explored and exploited by multinational corporations; therefore, encouraging the increased scale and mechanization of mining practices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Historical Background of Colombia Mining has always been an important part of Colombian culture. The history of intensive mining in Colombia dates back to pre-Columbian times, where indigenous cultures extracted precious stones and materials such as gold and emeralds, for use in jewelry and ornamentation. “The beauty of gold, its rarity, its unique density and the ease with which it could be melted, formed and measured made it a natural medium of exchange. Gold gave birth to the very concept of money: portable, private and permanent. (A Brief History of Gold) The value of gold has attracted many people to Colombia. Colombia's political history has been turbulent. The country is plagued by violence between guerrillas and paramilitary groups who seek to take control of territories, extorting, kidnapping and murdering innocent civilians and trafficking drugs. These groups have also taken an interest in mining activities, particularly those that are illegal. The president of Colombia's mining industry, Juan Manuel Santos, with the intention of improving the Colombian economy, established five economic "locomotives" as part of his national development plan in 2010 to help improve the economy and increase employment, trying to reduce unemployment by 12% in 2009 (Plan Nacional de Desarrollo, 2011). Mining is one of the key economic sectors. As a result and thanks to its geological characteristics, multinational companies are turning to opportunities to carry out mining operations on Colombian soil. This was important to the government because for many years, internal conflict and insecurity in the country kept investors away. According to the publication Exploring Opportunities, “mining titles granted increased from 2,965 in 2002 to 9,131 in 2012, currently representing 4.4% of the national territory. Furthermore, applications for mining titles have shown an average annual growth rate of 22% since 2004.” (Explore opportunities) The mining “boom” has been controversial. Although the economy may be strengthening, in 2017 mining contributed a small percentage of the national gross domestic product (GDP), just 2% (National Mining Agency). The article Mining as a “locomotive” of the Colombian economy: its real cost reveals that: Over the past 15 years, the Colombian government has enacted laws promoting large-scale mining throughout the country, the banner of the sector becoming the engine of growth. and the development of the country. By declaring it an “activity of public utility and social interest”, expropriations, forced displacements and operating licenses in protected areas have become widespread. (p. 1) Types of mining Mining can becarried out in different ways. Large-scale, medium-scale, artisanal (also called small-scale), underground and illegal mining are the different methods used to extract natural minerals. These methods have had a direct impact on the development of the industry and its environmental and social impact in the community. Multinational companies carry out most large-scale projects because they have the financial resources, technology and equipment to tackle larger projects. Unfortunately, this mining is controversial in Colombia, due to environmental, labor, human rights and economic concerns. “Generally speaking, artisanal and small-scale mining refers to mining by individuals, groups, families or cooperatives with minimal or no mechanization. , often in the informal [illegal] sector of the market (Hentschel, Priester and Hruschka, 2003). This method is usually time-consuming and resource-intensive. One of the main problems with artisanal mining is that it is usually associated with illegal mining, that is, the exploitation of mineral resources that are not regulated by the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy and by the National Mining Agency. Armed groups are attracted to illegal mining because it helps increase their funding. Then there are miners who have the means to mine legally but prefer not to, to avoid paying taxes or obtaining the necessary licenses. Others extract minerals because it is their only means of survival. The challenges of the mining industry The mining “locomotive” presents many challenges among the different players in the sector: communities, multinationals and the government. The interests of one group may not coincide with those of others because the sector's interests or issues are different. In recent years, the use of new technologies by multinationals facilitating gold extraction, backhoes, dredges and dragoons, as well as the presence of armed groups, have changed the relationship with the territory and worsened the social relations in mining communities. , Environmental and social impact As mentioned previously, the mining sector in Colombia is currently known as the “locomotive” of the country's development to encourage foreign investment in the sector. This is good for the economy because the country has large, well-paid mineral reserves in high demand, such as gold and coal. This is enough to create political conditions that can be detrimental to mining communities and the country in general. The lack of opportunities in the country has pushed countless farmers and miners to resort to illegal mining as a source of income. Many local miners are caught between armed rebel groups, violence and government-imposed regulations to end illegal mining, and others are losing their jobs. Additionally, in many cases, royalties are lost in the hands of corrupt mayors and governors, as well as mining companies that have been caught evading royalty payments. The peace agreement signed in 2016 has the potential to help the government achieve its set goals. objectives set for the industry in the National Development Plan. The territories occupied by armed groups and reserved for the community are now vacant. Many of these remote areas are rich in natural resources and can now be exploited. Communities now havethe possibility of defending their lands and regaining access to them to prevent mining projects from taking place. Failing to positively transform the sector, the “golden peace” risks being replaced by a “mining war” pitting local mining communities against social movements. , criminal organizations, public forces and large mining companies […] given the challenges linked to the consolidation of the presence and acceptance of the Colombian State in many mining areas, the counter regulatory approach productive and the slowness with which it comes to encourage and help gold miners to formalize, as well as national and international policies. international difficulties in implementing stricter and more comprehensive due diligence measures throughout the mineral supply chain […] (Masse & Le Billon, 2017) In short, the peace agreement is good for the Colombia and its people but will not end the problem of illegal mining that has plagued the country. The economic progress pursued by the government is not compatible with the environmental and social impacts. The extraction of natural resources has a great impact on the Colombian territory. Concession demands have multiplied and are issued without any consideration for nature due to lax environmental legislation. The impact of mining activities in many regions of Colombia has caused irreparable damage. The quality of life of people who live in areas where mining takes place is not only not improving, but is deteriorating day by day. Communities are witnessing how, due to poor mining practices, illegal mining causes widespread contamination, health problems and environmental destruction. During the gold mining process, chemicals such as cyanide and mercury are used. . Mercury causes negative health effects such as genetic defects and explosives such as ammonium nitrate/fuel oil, which are potent, can cause serious respiratory damage. The soils where these operations are carried out are completely deserted and due to the quantity of chemicals used, they remain sterile. Should mining be allowed if it causes so many problems? It is difficult to understand because the government claims to want to protect the territory and its inhabitants, but the cruel reality is that for some, personal interests and money are worth more than the common benefit. It is possible to promote responsible mining practices and protect the environment, instead of destroying it. Many other countries have successfully implemented regulations promoting safe mining. Many communities in areas where mining takes place are unaware of their rights, making them vulnerable to multinational companies profiting from them. In other cases, people who are somehow aware of their rights, have a sense of belonging, and oppose these mining projects are crudely silenced by threats that often result in their death. Father Reinel Restrepo, from Marmato, Caldas and defender of the rights of the people of his municipality, was assassinated. Shortly before being killed, Father Restrepo made statements to the Colombian press, asserting that the Church is a defender of the poor and that “this Canadian multinational wants to take advantage of the population; they want to chase them away. They even went so far as to want to move the parish church,” he declared, “…they came to ask me if I agreed with moving the town […] I openly told them that I don't agreewith this. (Moore, 2011) Finally, it is important to note that the Peace Brigades International Mining in Colombia: At What Cost report states that "87% of all displaced people are from mining and energy producing municipalities (35% of total municipalities) and 80% of It is in these places that the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that have occurred in Colombia over the last ten years have been committed (Vicente et al., 2011). » Ethical issues in the mining industry The growth of the mining industry in Colombia has caused widespread damage to the environment and the population. Many will say that this industry is amoral, driven by profitability, "well-intentioned but selfish in the sense that the impact on others is not considered." (Carroll, Brown, & Buchholtz, 2016, p. 207) » Unethical practices by multinational corporations and the government are a major factor in the rise of social resistance and conflict in the country. Comments such as “communities are free to organize votes, but the choice to allow mining lies with the government” from the Minister of Mines are what really spark disapproval among communities. It is not about what is best for the community, but the interests of a few with the ultimate goal in mind: profit. According to the Observatory of Mining Conflicts in Latin America, a database of communities affected by mining operations, there are currently 15 conflicts related to criminalization, human rights violations and public referendums that have been reported in Colombia, including the case of Marmato, Caldas. A survey carried out by Brujula Minera (2015), raises some interesting points regarding the community's perception of the mining industry: Only 38% of those questioned believe that local mayors are committed to ensuring that mining is done well. 40-45% of respondents in mining and non-mining communities agree that the two main reasons for conflict between multinational corporations and the community are the environmental impact of their operations and the existence of organizations that want to gain political advantage and financial. 42-46% of respondents in mining and non-mining communities have a positive image of mining companies. 61% of respondents living in mining communities agree that mining is positive for the country, but when asked if it is positive for their municipality, the percentage drops to 49%. When asked about tolerance levels for illegal mining, 45% of respondents in mining communities believe it is illegal and should be punished and 46% think it is illegal but justified. Statistics show that the Colombian people are somewhat divided on how they view the mining industry. Interestingly enough, residents of mining communities do not believe this is positive for their municipality, but they agree that it is good for the country. The figures show that many people do not have a positive view of mining companies and the government. This is why the industry today has a number of activists and visionaries, keen to improve the quality of communication between all the actors involved in the current conflicts.MarmatoMarmato is known as the "golden peebre of Colombia” because of where it is located. located and its gold reserves. It is known as one of the main gold producers in the country. “Mario Tangarife and the indigenous councils estimate that there are only 20 or 30 thousand ounces of gold left in Marmato, an amount that could lastmore than 800 years old if extracted using traditional methods. But it seems that this sum will run out much sooner if the multinationals continue their race (Giraldo Herrera & Grajales Murillo, 2013).” Tensions between local miners and the Canadian company “Gran Colombia Gold” have increased significantly. For generations, small-scale miners operated informally. But in 2001, reforms to Colombia's mining code, sponsored by CIDA, forced small-scale miners to formalize their operations and obtain mining titles from the government. This has created several problems for artisanal miners in Marmato. The vast majority of miners were unable to obtain titles within the allotted time frame: many were unaware that the rules had changed, others lacked the resources and know-how to complete the process successfully. process, and still others applied but were never followed (Lambert, 2012). For many miners in the region, mining is more than a job, it's their way of life. Many feel that the government and Grand Colombia Gold are excluding them from this industry that has been part of the city's history for years. Subsoil laws changed in 1986 and many miners became legal owners of the land they mined. After Gran Colombia Gold learned it couldn't evict the miners two years ago, it began negotiating buyout deals. The mine owners who agreed to sell – based on a contract that included a clause guaranteeing the retention of employees – received only part of what they were owed and promised to receive the balance in 2013. But at a meeting in December, Tapasco said the company told him it didn't have enough money and the miners would have to wait. (Rollow, 2014) The way Gran Colombia Gold obtained the land was unethical and should have serious consequences. This case is a clear example of the general criticism leveled at corporations (global corporations as well): “Corporations are too big, they are too powerful, they pollute the environment and exploit people for their own profit, […], they don’t tell the truth, […], and so on (Carroll, Brown and Buchholtz, 2016). The multinational company did not care what methods were used to obtain the land it needed for its operations or for the impact it would have on the town and local miners. The large-scale mining carried out by Grans Colombia Gold also has environmental, health and social effects. The local community is affected by water and air pollution as well as noise and vibrations generated by various mining operations. Pollution generates chronic or acute health problems due to exposure to chemicals typical of mining activity and noise and vibrations from explosions, dust and landscape changes, unemployment and uprooting of people. workers. Campaigns Against Mining Mining is an industry that brings economic development to a country. if it is done well and responsibly. This did not happen in Colombia and many activist groups felt the need to voice the concerns of millions of Colombians who, in one way or another, have been affected by mining practices. Campaigns have been created to bring national and international attention to this issue. These campaigns and media attention keep multinational corporations, the government, and artisanal miners in the public eye and potentially prevent them from engaging in practices that violate human rights..