Gold of Abandonment: How Communities in Guainía, Colombia Allied With Informal Mining

A diver in Chorrobocón, an Indigenous community located in the heart of Guainía, in eastern Colombia, personifies the illegal gold mining activity that goes on in that remote part of the country.

Regardless of the risks involved in his work, the young man dives into the depths of the Inírida River in search of invisible gold flakes that would allow him to cash in some money to feed his family.

Guainía is a territory rich in culture and biodiversity, part of one of Colombia's oldest geologies. However, the lack of state support and opportunities for all, mainly the Indigenous communities, has meant that for decades now, mining has been one of the primary sources of economic activity and employment. Mining goes on despite the environmental and health risks associated with the use of mercury in the process of extracting gold.

Indigenous communities are well aware of the impact informal mining has on the territory. They have actively sought economic alternatives, but these efforts have not been enough to ensure their survival. The lack of adequate measures from local governments has plunged the populations of the Colombian Amazon into a struggle to survive, constantly facing neglect and marginalization.

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This story was produced with support from Internews' Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in El Morichal on June 27, 2024. It has been translated to English and lightly edited for length and clarity.

Banner image: Inírida River / Credit: Edwin Suárez for El Morichal.