Gold mining in the Colombian Amazon: empirical insights on the links between sustainability, equity, and power

Abstract

Gold mining is widespread in the Colombian Amazon and negatively impacts biodiversity, climate, and social equity. While some claim that sustainable gold mining can address these issues, we have analyzed different narratives of sustainable gold mining, focusing on equity and power dimensions. Our research, conducted through participatory observation and interviews across scales between 2022 and 2023, involved local miners, Indigenous representatives, community members, academic experts, NGOs, and government officials at regional, national, and international levels. We found diverging perspectives on sustainable mining leading to conflicts and occasional violence. While the greening of mining involves a corporate focus on distributive equity, traditional and artisanal miners seek support and recognition of their mining rights. Indigenous and other ethnic minorities aim to emancipate themselves from historical epistemic domination and exclusion. We conclude that resolving the conflicts arising from these differences requires questioning the role of corporate mining, and considering diverse values related to the sustainability of gold mining in decision-making processes.

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