Ecuador is a battlefield in the fight against illegal mining and deforestation of the Amazon region

By Latin American Post staff

Illegal mining continues to ravage Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, with more than 1,400 hectares of land destroyed. As Latin American countries grapple with similar crises, the environmental and social costs are mounting. How can they balance protection with economic needs?

Ecuadorian soldiers dismantle an illegal gold mine in the Amazon.

Illegal gold mining is leaving a devastating mark on Ecuador’s Amazon, particularly in the area around the Punino River, one of the regions hardest hit by the illegal activity. Since monitoring began in 2019, nearly 1,500 hectares of pristine jungle have been lost to deforestation caused by illegal mining activities, according to the Proyecto de Monitoreo de la Amazonía Andina (MAAP). This independent initiative tracks deforestation in the Amazon using satellite imagery and data analysis.

MAAP’s recent report, published in mid-2024, revealed that 420 hectares of forest were cleared in the Punino River area in the first six months of this year, bringing the total area affected since 2019 to 1,422 hectares. A staggering 90% of this destruction occurred outside the legal boundaries set for mining, underscoring the scale of illegal activity.

The environmental impacts are far-reaching, with mining operations expanding dangerously close to the Sumaco-Napo Galeras National Park and the El Chaco Municipal Conservation Area. Even more worrying is the intrusion into indigenous territories of the Kichwa people, whose ancestral lands are being destroyed without consent or protection.

This crisis in Ecuador is not unique. Across Latin America, illegal mining poses a serious threat to some of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, as well as to the local communities that depend on these ecosystems for survival.

A widespread problem in Latin America
Ecuador’s Amazon is just one example of the destructive power of illegal mining in Latin America. In the region, countries like Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela face similar challenges. In Peru, illegal gold mining in the Madre de Dios region has turned once-vibrant rainforests into barren wastelands, wiping out entire ecosystems in the hunt for precious metals. Deforestation in Madre de Dios is so extreme that the region has been labeled a “biological desert” by environmental experts, with satellite images showing vast swaths of land stripped bare by mining.

Brazil’s Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest, is also being decimated by illegal mining, particularly in the state of Pará. There, miners are penetrating deep into protected indigenous lands, such as the Yanomami Reserve, despite efforts by the Brazilian government to crack down on the practice. Criminal gangs often control these illegal operations, and miners themselves live and work in appalling conditions. Environmental damage includes mercury poisoning of rivers, threatening wildlife and the health of indigenous communities who rely on the waterways for their livelihoods.

Colombia, another hotspot for illegal mining, faces similar challenges. The country’s northern regions, particularly Chocó, have seen dramatic increases in deforestation due to illegal gold mining. Chocó is home to Afro-Colombian and indigenous communities, who find themselves caught between armed groups and environmental destruction. As in Ecuador and Brazil, illegal mining in Colombia is often tied to organized crime, and the lucrative trade fuels violence and corruption.

The social and ecological costs
The environmental damage of illegal mining is immense, but the social costs are equally great. In Ecuador, the Kichwa, whose lands are now being overrun by miners, face not only the loss of their forests but also the destruction of their culture and way of life. The invasion of indigenous lands is not only illegal, but also violates international human rights laws that protect the rights of indigenous peoples to their land and resources.

Human rights abuses, including forced labor, violence, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations, often accompany illegal mining. Miners often work in dangerous conditions without proper safety equipment or legal protection. The use of mercury to extract gold from ore is widespread in illegal mining operations, and this toxic substance has poisoned rivers and drinking water in the Amazon. Mercury pollution has serious health consequences for local populations, including neurological damage and congenital disabilities.

In Peru, for example, mercury contamination in the Madre de Dios rivers has been linked to widespread health problems among indigenous communities, who rely on the waterways for fishing and drinking water. Despite efforts by the Peruvian government to intervene, the sheer scale of illegal mining makes it difficult to police. The region’s remote location, weak governance, and corruption create a perfect environment for illegal mining to flourish.

In Colombia, the social impact is equally devastating. Illegal mining is often associated with armed groups that control large swaths of territory. These groups exploit miners and local communities, using the profits from gold to fund their operations. As a result, local populations are caught in the crossfire, forced to work in dangerous conditions or flee their homes to escape violence. The influx of miners and the presence of armed groups also increase the risk of human trafficking and other criminal activities.

Can the damage be reversed?
The challenges posed by illegal mining are enormous, but there are possible solutions. Ecuador, for example, has been working to strengthen environmental protections and address illegal mining. The Ministry of Environment has increased monitoring efforts, and there are ongoing discussions about improving enforcement in protected areas and indigenous territories. However, enforcement alone will not be enough.

The root causes of illegal mining must be addressed, including providing alternative livelihoods for those involved in the practice. Many illegal miners turn to this work out of desperation, as it can be one of the few ways to make a living in remote and impoverished areas. Governments in Latin America need to invest in sustainable development initiatives that provide economic alternatives to mining. In Ecuador, projects that support ecotourism, sustainable agriculture and forest conservation could provide a way out for those who rely on illegal mining for survival.

In addition, greater international cooperation is needed to address the transnational nature of illegal mining. Much of the gold extracted illegally from Latin America ends up on the global market, where it is laundered and sold without controls. Countries in Europe, North America and Asia need to take more decisive action to ensure that the gold they import is not linked to environmental destruction or human rights abuses. This could include stricter regulations on gold imports and greater transparency in the supply chain.

Indigenous communities must also be at the center of any solution. Their knowledge of the land and commitment to protecting it make them natural allies in the fight against illegal mining. Governments must work with indigenous leaders to create stronger protections for their territories and involve them in decision-making processes. In Ecuador, the Kichwa people are vocal advocates for the protection of their land, but the government and mining companies often ignore their voices.

The Way Forward for Latin America
Illegal mining is a complex problem that affects Ecuador and many other countries in Latin America. The environmental destruction is often irreversible, and the social impacts can be devastating for indigenous communities and other vulnerable populations. However, with the right combination of law enforcement, economic alternatives, and international cooperation, it is possible to limit the damage and protect the region’s priceless ecosystems.

Ecuador’s experience with illegal mining offers important lessons for other Latin American countries. By strengthening environmental protections, working with indigenous communities, and addressing the root causes of illegal mining, countries in the region can take meaningful steps toward a more sustainable future. Action must be taken before more of Latin America’s irreplaceable rainforests are lost forever.
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Source: Latin American Post