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

Carlos Mestanza-Ramón, Jefferson Cuenca-Cumbicus, Giovanni D’Orio, Jeniffer Flores-Toala, Susana Segovia-Cáceres, Amanda Bonilla-Bonilla and Salvatore Straface
Additional contact information
Carlos Mestanza-Ramón: Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
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

Land, 2022, vol. 11, issue 2, 1-22

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.

Keywords: mercury; gold; socio-environmental impacts; environmental management; political management; environmental management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:2:p:221-:d:740495

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