Impacto ambiental generado por la minería aurífera mecanizada a partir del análisis de las percepciones de habitantes del corregimiento Boca de Bebará, Medio Atrato, Chocó, Colombia.

Abstract

In the development of studies on mining in Chocó, it is recurrent that the impacts of the activity on the ecosystems are addressed, the approach to the influence of these practices on the socio-cultural dimensions and the perception of the population is limited. The objective of the research is to analyze the perceptions about the phenomenon of mechanized gold mining in inhabitants of the Boca de Bebará district, Medio Atrato, Chocó. A mixed methodology was implemented, with a focus on qualitative and ethnographic methods, for data collection the semi-structured interview, participant observation and community narratives were used. It is evident that mining in Boca de Bebará works outside the regulations, artisanal mining is on the way to disappear and there are impacts on the biophysical and political component with risk in food security, population health, increase in violence, loss of territory and deterioration in traditional activities such as fishing and agriculture, in addition, forced displacement and violation of environmental rights.