Illegal Mining Leads to Environmental Contamination in Colombia

There have been frequent confrontations between the informal miners and Zijin security personnel, which have most often resulted in underground battles.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): According to reports, a Chinese Zijin Company gold mine in Colombia's Buritica municipality is contaminating the environment. It should be mentioned that illicit mining has been thriving in the area surrounding the mine, with miners use explosives, mercury, and large machinery to harvest gold.

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The company claims that illegal miners affiliated with the Gaitanista Army of Colombia (EGC), the largest armed group in the nation, have taken over about 60% of its tunnels, leading to deadly conflicts and social discontent in the area. Over the past few years, informal miners associated with the armed organization have broken into the majority of the mine's over 100 underground tunnels.

Informal miners and Zijin security forces have frequently clashed, with underground conflicts being the most common outcome.

Locals have expressed grave security worries, pointing out that the mountain could collapse because to the numerous shoddy tunnels built by unofficial miners. The Mining, Environmental, and Agrarian Office's latest investigations also raised concerns about a possible accident. The report also cautioned that illicit mining has been seriously endangering water tables and causing significant environmental harm.

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