Study Outlines Roadmap for Sustainable Gold Mining in Colombia

By Dr. Noopur JainReviewed by Laura ThomsonMay 23 2025

In a recent article published in the journal Mining, researchers undertook the pressing issue of promoting sustainability within the artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector in Northeast Antioquia, Colombia. The authors emphasized the importance of developing effective strategies to address the socio-environmental challenges it faces.

Background

The article contextualizes the current status of ASGM in Northeast Antioquia and reviews existing knowledge and practices relevant to sustainability. Previously, efforts have focused on reducing the environmental impact, notably mercury pollution, a persistent problem due to traditional amalgamation techniques.

While progress has been achieved in lowering mercury emissions, complete elimination remains elusive, as it is deeply ingrained in local mining communities' cultural and operational fabric.

The authors note that technological interventions, such as advanced concentration equipment, could enhance productivity while minimizing environmental harm, but adoption has been slow. Moreover, socio-cultural aspects pose significant barriers to change.

The review highlights that attempts to address these challenges often lack a comprehensive framework that integrates environmental, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions holistically. Thus, the sector's complexity requires an operational plan that synthesizes scientific insights, cultural understanding, and socio-economic realities to foster sustainable practices.

The Current Study

The research adopts a qualitative, descriptive approach grounded in an extensive review of existing literature and official documents related to artisanal mining in the region.

The methodology involves a documentary analysis of academic articles, theses, institutional reports, and governmental data sources to diagnose the current local practices and identify the key needs and opportunities for sustainability.

This bibliographical review enables the authors to understand the sector's multifaceted challenges and define foundational principles—such as resource quality, health and safety, environmental responsibility, and socio-cultural considerations—that underpin the operational plan.

They also incorporate principles from international frameworks like the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) project, and the natural backcasting approach, which involves envisioning a sustainable future and then working backwards to identify necessary steps.

The development process includes mapping the sector's specific needs, designing strategic objectives aligned with sustainability principles, and establishing a structured operational plan comprising activities evaluated through a sustainability matrix.

These activities span environmental, economic, and socio-cultural components, focusing on adaptive planning that considers the mining cycle and community participation.

Results and Discussion

The study identifies several critical challenges confronting the sustainability of small-scale gold mining in Northeast Antioquia.

Environmentally, the excessive use of mercury persists, despite known risks and international efforts to curb its use.

The sector’s dependence on traditional amalgamation processes, which amalgamate the entire ore with mercury, hampers progress toward cleaner practices.

Technological gaps and limited access to alternative processing methods hinder efforts to reduce pollution levels.

Socio-cultural issues form another significant barrier; deep-rooted practices, cultural identity tied to artisanal mining, and socioeconomic dependencies impede quick transitions to sustainable practices.

Child labor and health concerns related to mercury exposure complicate the social landscape. Economically, the sector faces structural challenges, such as limited access to capital and infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies and environmental degradation that undermine productivity and sustainability.

The article discusses that addressing these challenges requires a multi-dimensional strategy. The proposed operational plan includes establishing localized interventions tailored to the specific context of Northeast Antioquia. It emphasizes community participation, education, and capacity-building initiatives to modify cultural practices gradually.

Technological improvements, such as promoting mercury-free methods and better ore concentration techniques, are proposed to enhance economic viability and reduce environmental impacts. The plan also underscores the importance of health and safety standards, legal compliance, and fostering cooperative governance structures within mining communities.

The discussion advocates for an adaptive management approach—one that is flexible, participatory, and capable of evolving in response to community feedback and changing conditions—to progressively achieve sustainability goals.

Conclusion

The authors affirm that moving toward sustainable artisanal gold mining in Northeast Antioquia necessitates a comprehensive, structured operational plan considering environmental, economic, and socio-cultural facets.

The proposed plan offers a strategic framework rooted in scientific principles, cultural awareness, and practical intervention modules. It supports community-driven changes, technological adoption, and regulatory compliance while respecting local traditions.

The study emphasizes that sustainability is a dynamic and collective process, requiring continuous assessment, adaptation, and stakeholder engagement. Although significant barriers remain—such as entrenched practices, limited resources, and social resistance—the framework provides a pathway for incremental improvement toward long-term sustainability.

Ultimately, the authors advocate for collaborative efforts among government agencies, community leaders, and international partners to implement and refine these strategies, ensuring that artisanal mining can evolve into an environmentally responsible, socially equitable, and economically robust activity. The research underscores the importance of integrating local context, scientific innovation, and participatory governance to realize the sector’s sustainable future.