IndexThe historical context of ColombiaThe mining industry of ColombiaTypes of miningChallenges in the mining industryEconomic, environmental and social impactsEthical problems in the mining industryMarmatoCampaigns against miningThe role of the government in the mining industryL he extraction of mineral resources in Colombia has been a source of survival and wealth for the Colombian people. In an effort to keep up with the times, with the needs of industry and with international investments, the government has expanded the areas that can be explored and exploited by multinationals; therefore, encouraging the greater breadth and mechanization of mining practices. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Historical Context of Colombia Mining has always been an important part of Colombian culture. The history of intensified mining activity in Colombia dates back to pre-Columbian times, where indigenous cultures extracted precious stones and materials such as gold and emeralds, intended for jewelry and ornaments. “The beauty, scarcity, unique density of gold, and the ease with which it could be melted, formed, and measured made it a natural trading medium. Gold gave rise 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 has been plagued by violence between guerrilla and paramilitary groups seeking to gain control over territories by extorting, kidnapping and killing innocent civilians and trafficking drugs. These groups also became interested in mining activities, especially illegal ones. Colombian mining president Juan Manuel Santos, with the intent of improving Colombia's economy, created five economic "locomotives" through his National Development Plan in 2010 to help improve the economy and increase jobs of work, 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, multinationals have focused on the opportunities to carry out mining operations in 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, “The mining licenses granted went from 2,965 in 2002 to 9,131 in 2012, currently representing 4.4% of the national territory. Applications for mining titles have also seen an average annual growth rate of 22% since 2004.” (Exploring Opportunities) The mining “boom” has been controversial. While the economy may be strengthening, mining contributed only a small percentage of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2017, just 2% (National Mining Agency). The article Mining as a “Locomotive” of the Colombian Economy: It's a Real Cost notes that: Over the past 15 years, the Colombian government has enacted laws promoting large-scale mining across the country under the flag of the sector which becomes the engine of growth and development of the country. By declaring it an "activity of public utility and social interest", expropriations, forced displacements and licenses to operate in protected areas have become pervasive. (p. 1)Types of MiningMining can be done in various ways. Large-scale, medium-scale, artisanal (also known as small-scale), underground and illegal mining are the different methods used to extract thenatural minerals. These methods have had a direct impact on the development of the sector and its environmental and social impact in the community. Multinational corporations carry out most large-scale projects because they have the financial resources, technology and machinery to tackle larger projects.projects. Unfortunately, this mining has been controversial in Colombia, due to environmental, labor, human rights, and economic concerns. , often in the informal [illegal] sector of the market (Hentschel, Priester, & Hruschka, 2003).” This method typically takes a long time to complete and is resource-intensive. One of the main problems of artisanal mining is that it is usually associated with illegal mining, the exploitation of mineral resources that is not regulated by the Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy and 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. Some others mine minerals because it is their only means of survival. The challenges of the mining industry The mining “locomotive” presents many challenges among the different actors in the sector: communities, multinationals and government. The interests of one group may not coincide with those of others because the interest or stakes in the sector are different. In recent years, the use of new technologies by multinationals that facilitate the extraction of gold, backhoes, dredgers and dragons, and the presence of armed groups, has changed the relationship with the territory and worsened social relations in the communities mining. Environmental, social and environmental impact As mentioned above, 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 and in-demand mineral reserves, such as gold and coal. This is enough to create political conditions that can be harmful to mining communities and the country at large. The lack of opportunities in the country has led countless farmers and miners to turn to illegal mining as a source of income. Many local miners are caught between armed rebel groups, violence and government-imposed regulations to stop illegal mining, and others are losing their jobs. Furthermore, in many cases royalties are lost in the hands of corrupt mayors and governors, as well as mining companies caught evading royalty payments. The peace agreement signed in 2016 has the potential to help the government achieve the goals set for the sector in the National Development Plan. The territories that were occupied by armed groups and which were reserved for the community are now vacant. Many of these remote locations are rich in natural resources and are now available to be exploited. Communities now have the opportunity to defend their land and regain access to stop mining projects. By failing to positively transform the sector, the "golden peace" risks being replaced by a "mining war" pitting local mining communities, social movements, criminal organisations, public forces and large mining companies against each other [...] given the challenges involved to the consolidation of the presence and acceptance of the Colombian state in many mining areas, the counterproductive regulatory approach and the slowness in incentivizing and assisting gold miners to formalize, and the national system as well as international difficulties in implementing measures of twomore rigorous and comprehensive diligence throughout the mineral supply chain […] (Masse & Le Billon, 2017) In short, the peace agreement is good for Colombia and its people, but it will not put an end to the mining problem illegal mining that has plagued the country. The economic progress pursued by the government cannot be reconciled with the environmental and social impacts. The extraction of natural resources is having a great impact on the Colombian territory. Concession requests have increased and are made 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 living in regions where mining is carried out not only does not improve, but worsens day by day. Communities are witnessing how, due to bad mining practices, illegal mining is causing a lot of contamination, health problems and environmental destruction. During the gold mining process, chemicals such as cyanide and mercury are used. . Mercury causes adverse health effects such as genetic defects and explosives such as ammonium nitrate/fuel oil which is potent and can cause serious respiratory damage. The lands where these exploitations are carried out are completely deserted and, due to the quantity of chemical substances used, remain sterile. Should mining be allowed if it causes so many problems? It is difficult to understand why the government says it wants to protect the territory and its people but the harsh 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, rather than destroy it. Many other countries have managed to implement regulations that promote safe mining. Many communities in mining regions do not know their rights, making them vulnerable to multinational companies taking advantage of them. In other cases, people who are somehow aware of their rights, have a sense of belonging and oppose these mining projects are severely silenced with threats that often lead to their deaths. Father Reinel Restrepo of Marmato, Caldas and defender of people's rights in his municipality, was murdered. Shortly before he was killed, Father Restrepo made statements to the Colombian press, stating 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 wanted to move the parish church – he says –… they came to ask me if I agree with moving the town […] I told them openly that I don't agree with this.” (Moore, 2011) Finally, it is important to note that the report Mining in Colombia: At What Cost by the International Peace Brigades states that “87% of all displaced people come from mining and energy producing municipalities (35% of the total municipalities), and 80% of the violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that occurred in Colombia in the last 10 years were committed in these places (Vicente, et al., 2011).” Ethical problems in the mining industryGrowth of the mining industry in Colombia has caused a lot of damage to the environment and its population. Many may argue that this industry is amoral, motivated by profitability, “well-intentioned but selfish in the sense that the impact on others is not considered. (Carroll, Brown, & Buchholtz, 2016, p. 207)” The unethical practices of multinational corporations and government are a major factor in increasing social resistance and conflict in the country. Comments like “communities arefree to vote, but the choice to allow mining is up to the government” by the Minister of Mines is what really causes disapproval among communities. It's not about what's best for the community, but about the interests of a few with the ultimate goal, profit, in mind. 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 reported in Colombia, among these conflicts is the case of Marmato, Caldas. A survey conducted by Brujula Minera (2015), raises some interesting points regarding the perception of the mining sector by the community: only 38% of those interviewed believe that local mayors are committed to ensuring a well-run mining activity conduct. Between 40 and 45 percent 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 benefit politically and financially. Forty-two to 46 percent 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 good for the country, but when asked if it is good for their municipality the percentage drops to 49%. When asked about tolerance levels towards illegal mining, 45% of them Respondents in mining communities believe it is illegal and should be punished and 46% believe it is illegal but justified. Statistics show that the Colombian people are somewhat divided on how they perceive the mining industry. It's quite interesting to see that people in mining communities don't believe it's good for their municipality, but agree it's good for the country. The numbers show that many people do not have a positive view of mining companies and government. This is why the industry now has a number of activists and visionaries, interested in improving the quality of communication between all actors involved in current conflicts. MarmatoMarmato is known as the “golden fish of Colombia” due to the location where it is located and its gold reserves. It is known as one of the country's leading gold producers. “Mario Tangarife and the indigenous councils believe that only 20 or 30 thousand ounces of gold remain in Marmato, an amount that could last more than 800 years if mined using traditional methods. But it seems that it will end much sooner if multinationals continue their race to obtain it (Giraldo Herrera & Grajales Murillo, 2013).” Tensions between local miners and the Canadian company “Gran Colombia Gold” have increased significantly. For generations, small-scale miners have operated informally. But in 2001, CIDA-sponsored reforms of Colombia's mining code forced small-scale miners to formalize their operations and obtain mining titles from the government. This created several problems for the artisanal miners of Marmato. The vast majority of miners were unable to secure their titles within the allotted time period: many were unaware of the rule change, others lacked the resources and know-how to complete the process, and others applied but they were never followed up (Lambert, 2012). For many miners in the region, mining is more than a job: it is their way of life. Many feel that the government and Grand Colombia Gold are excluding them from an industry that has been part of the city's history for years. The subsoil laws arechanged in 1986 and many miners became the legal owners of the land they were mining. After Gran Colombia Gold learned it couldn't expel the miners two years ago, it began negotiating takeover deals. The mine owners who agreed to sell – under a contract that included a clause guaranteeing the continued employment of their employees – were paid only part of what they owed and promised that they would receive the balance in 2013. But in At a December meeting, Tapasco said the company told him it didn't have enough money and that the miners would have to wait." (Rollow, 2014) The way Gran Colombia Gold obtained the lands was unethical and should have serious consequences. This case is a clear example of the general criticism aimed at business (even global): "Business is too big, it is too powerful, it pollutes the environment and exploits people for its own gain, [...], it does not tell the truth, [ …], and so on (Carroll, Brown and Buchholtz, 2016).” The multinational did not care what methods were used to obtain the lands needed for its operations or 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 following exposure to chemicals typical of mining and noise and vibrations resulting from explosions, dust and landscape changes, unemployment and job eradication. Campaigns against mining Mining is an industry that brings economic development to a country if 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 have been affected in some way by mining practices. Campaigns have been created to bring national and international attention to this issue. These campaigns and media attention keep multinational corporations, government and artisanal miners in the public eye and, possibly, away from unethical practices. One particular campaign that was very successful is a short video produced by Catalejo Films. As in many other global issues, actors use their platform to speak out on issues of social injustice, in this case extreme mining in Colombia. They protest against open-pit mining and its environmental and health impacts (Mineria contaminante a cielo abierto en Colombia, 2010). Together with RECLAME, the Colombian network against large-scale transnational mining, “invites the Colombian people to continue to mobilize in defense of the mountains and against transnational mining (Moore, Páramos free from large-scale mining: a obligation of the Colombian authorities, 2011).”The government's role in the mining industry This mining industry is not the only reason why people are displaced in Colombia, but it has contributed enormously to the surprising numbers reported. As of December 2017, the total number of displaced population was 6,509,000 out of a population of 49,068,000 people (Colombia). The peace agreement can be a solution and a problem to the problem of displacement due to legal and illegal mining activities and armed groups. Many multinationals tend to target territories that have suffered at the hands of armed groups, where the population has already been displaced, killed, or where the company has paid armed groups to protect them or displace the community in the territory they want to exploit. The.