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

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Mestanza-Ramón

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
    Research Group YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 20001, Ecuador)

  • Jefferson Cuenca-Cumbicus

    (Green Amazon, Research Center, Nueva Loja 210150, Ecuador)

  • Giovanni D’Orio

    (Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy)

  • Jeniffer Flores-Toala

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 220001, Ecuador)

  • Susana Segovia-Cáceres

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Morona Santiago, M. Santiago 140105, Ecuador)

  • Amanda Bonilla-Bonilla

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 220001, Ecuador)

  • Salvatore Straface

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Jefferson Cuenca-Cumbicus & Giovanni D’Orio & Jeniffer Flores-Toala & Susana Segovia-Cáceres & Amanda Bonilla-Bonilla & Salvatore Straface, 2022. "Gold Mining in the Amazon Region of Ecuador: History and a Review of Its Socio-Environmental Impacts," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:221-:d:740495
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Linda Etchart, 2022. "Indigenous Peoples and International Law in the Ecuadorian Amazon," Laws, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-15, July.
    2. Lucía Toledo & Gloria Salmoral & Oswaldo Viteri-Salazar, 2023. "Rethinking Agricultural Policy in Ecuador (1960–2020): Analysis Based on the Water–Energy–Food Security Nexus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Demmy Mora-Silva & Giovanni D’Orio & Enrique Tapia-Segarra & Isabel Dominguez Gaibor & José Fernando Esparza Parra & Carlos Renato Chávez Velásquez & Salvatore Straface, 2022. "Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM): Management and Socioenvironmental Impacts in the Northern Amazon of Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Badakhshan, Naser & Shahriar, Kourosh & Afraei, Sajjad & Bakhtavar, Ezzeddin, 2023. "Determining the environmental costs of mining projects: A comprehensive quantitative assessment," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    5. Feng, Chen-Yu & Yang, Xiaodong & Afshan, Sahar & Irfan, Muhamamd, 2023. "Can renewable energy technology innovation promote mineral resources’ green utilization efficiency? Novel insights from regional development inequality," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. Satomi Kimijima & Masayuki Sakakibara & Masahiko Nagai, 2022. "Investigation of Long-Term Roving Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Activities Using Time-Series Sentinel-1 and Global Surface Water Datasets," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-13, May.

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