Gold Mining in the Amazon Region of Ecuador: History and a Review of Its Socio-Environmental Impacts

Abstract

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) and large-scale mining in the Ecuadorian Amazon region is potentially harmful to nature, and its impacts are associated with environmental degradation and deterioration of people’s health. So far, limited efforts have been directed at exploring the current situation and challenges facing the implementation of environmental policies in the country. The objective of this study focused on analyzing the historical and current situation and challenges of ASGM in the Amazon region of Ecuador in relation to a political perspective (laws), socioeconomic impacts (population displacement, loss of livelihoods, migration of people, cost of living, water scarcity, and health impacts), and environmental impacts (biotic and abiotic). The methodology used was based on a literature review and interviews, and information that was discussed through an expert judgment allowed for establishing challenges to improve ASGM management. The main results indicate that lack of community participation in decision-making, insufficient coordination between government institutions, communities, and miners, and lack of control of mining activities are factors that contribute to ineffective compliance with environmental policies in the gold mining sector in the Amazon. Finally, the study concludes by considering the socioeconomic and environmental scopes within its findings for implementing effective environmental and social policies in the Amazon region of Ecuador.

Environmental footprints show the savings potential of high reparability through modular smartphone design

“…Hotspots of resource use and environmental impacts along the supply chain can be considerably defused. The greatest possible savings are in the area of gold mining, which takes place worldwide at great environmental and social cost 27 . Extrapolated to the number of smartphones produced annually in Germany or worldwide, large amounts of resources and emissions can be saved.…”

Potential Uses of Artisanal Gold Mine Tailings, with an Emphasis on the Role of Centrifugal Separation Technique

“…In addition, there is also a possibility of heavy metal contamination in the area due to poor handling processes. Previous study has examined the historical and current situation and issues of ASGM in connection to political, social, and environmental repercussions (such as population displacement, loss of livelihoods, migration of people, cost of living, water scarcity, and health implications) [47]. Thus, in this study, mineralogical characteristics of artisanal gold mine tailings using Miyove's samples in Rwanda and potential features as a new source of valued gold are shown (Figures 2-5, and Tables 1 and 2).…”

Human health risk assessment of metals and metalloids in mining areas of the Northeast Andean foothills of the Ecuadorian Amazon

“…Although artisanal small‐scale GM (mining without heavy machinery and granted to small companies or local communities) is the most common authorized concession, industrial GM accounts for 98% of the total territory for gold exploitation in the Napo province (33 718 ha). Nevertheless, illegal GM in Amazonia has increased sharply in recent years (Mestanza‐Ramón et al, 2022a). Given the proliferation of mining concessions, and the substantial increase in illegal mining activities (Mestanza‐Ramón et al, 2022b), gathering information on the risks to human health caused by this activity is crucial.…”