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History, Socioeconomic Problems and Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining in the Andean Region of Ecuador

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 220001, Ecuador)

  • Robinson Ordoñez-Alcivar

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

  • Carla Arguello-Guadalupe

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060104, Ecuador)

  • Katherin Carrera-Silva

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Riobamba 060104, Ecuador)

  • Giovanni D’Orio

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

  • Salvatore Straface

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

Abstract

Mining in Ecuadorian territory comprises three stages of Ecuadorian history: pre-Columbian, colonial, and republican times. In its beginnings, this activity did not have regulations or a legal foundation. The first Mining Law dates back to 1830, and it has been modified until the most recent update in 2009. The Andean region consists of 10 provinces, 9 of which have registered gold concessions, the most important of which are Loja, Azuay, and in recent years, Imbabura and Pichincha, which are the provinces with the highest number of reported concessions. The objective of this study focused on analyzing the historical and current situation of Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASGM) and the emergence of large-scale (industrial) mining. For the elaboration of this study, different methodological techniques were used, such as literature review, field interviews, and expert judgment validation. The main findings show that the provinces of Loja, Azuay, Imbabura, and Pichincha are the most conflictive areas in the region due to the impacts caused by mining activities. In socio-economic terms, there are conflicts between inhabitants in favor and against these activities and problems associated with human health. In environmental terms, the findings suggest historical contamination of water sources by heavy metals, which has altered the surrounding aquatic and terrestrial systems. Finally, the study concludes that implementing public policies should be promoted to balance socio-economic and environmental aspects in gold mining activities in the Andean region of Ecuador, strengthening the use of new technologies and education to raise awareness of the serious effects of mining activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Robinson Ordoñez-Alcivar & Carla Arguello-Guadalupe & Katherin Carrera-Silva & Giovanni D’Orio & Salvatore Straface, 2022. "History, Socioeconomic Problems and Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining in the Andean Region of Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1190-:d:730259
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rosales, Antulio, 2019. "Statization and denationalization dynamics in Venezuela's artisanal and small scale-large-scale mining interface," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 1-1.
    2. Thomas, Maxim J. & Veiga, Marcello M. & Marshall, Bruce G. & Dunbar, W. Scott, 2019. "Artisanal gold supply chain: Measures from the Ecuadorian Government," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    3. Aubrey L. Langeland & Rebecca D. Hardin & Richard L. Neitzel, 2017. "Mercury Levels in Human Hair and Farmed Fish near Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining Communities in the Madre de Dios River Basin, Peru," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-18, March.
    4. José Luis Rivera-Parra & Bernardo Beate & Ximena Diaz & María Belén Ochoa, 2021. "Artisanal and Small Gold Mining and Petroleum Production as Potential Sources of Heavy Metal Contamination in Ecuador: A Call to Action," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Almeida, María Dolores, 2019. "Estudio de caso sobre la gobernanza del sector minero en el Ecuador," Documentos de Proyectos 44876, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    6. Nhi Nguyen & Bryan Boruff & Matthew Tonts, 2018. "Fool’s Gold: Understanding Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts from Gold Mining in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-22, April.
    7. Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Selene Paz-Mena & Carlos López-Paredes & Mirian Jimenez-Gutierrez & Greys Herrera-Morales & Giovanni D’Orio & Salvatore Straface, 2021. "History, Current Situation and Challenges of Gold Mining in Ecuador’s Litoral Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, November.
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    1. Oznur Isinkaralar & Kaan Isinkaralar & Dilara Yilmaz, 2023. "Climate-related spatial reduction risk of agricultural lands on the Mediterranean coast in Türkiye and scenario-based modelling of urban growth," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13199-13217, November.
    2. Paulo Campoverde-Muñoz & Luis Aguilar-Salas & Paola Romero-Crespo & Priscila E. Valverde-Armas & Karla Villamar-Marazita & Samantha Jiménez-Oyola & Daniel Garcés-León, 2022. "Risk Assessment of Groundwater Contamination in the Gala, Tenguel, and Siete River Basins, Ponce Enriquez Mining Area—Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-14, December.

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