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

Carlos Mestanza-Ramón, Robinson Ordoñez-Alcivar, Carla Arguello-Guadalupe, Katherin Carrera-Silva, Giovanni D’Orio and Salvatore Straface
Additional contact information
Carlos Mestanza-Ramón: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-21

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.

Keywords: gold; heavy metals; socio-environmental impacts; political management; environmental management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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