The economic-environmental dichotomy of mining in Santa Lucía (Putumayo)

Abstract

The mining activity has brought with it different problems in the community of Santa Lucia, so the families are looking for new productive alternatives to leave it. In this order of ideas, the objective of this research was the characterization and analysis of the activity, the impacts generated and the projection of the miners. Methodology. The research process is based on the critical social approach. Information gathering techniques such as documentary review, surveys, interviews and participatory workshops were used. Results. Barequeo is a family inheritance activity. Among the things that the barequeros dislike about the activity, they highlight the fact that they have to be wet most of the time, the appearance of diseases and the harassment they are subjected to by the public forces. At the moment, the vast majority of the miners want to abandon the activity and return to agriculture. Conclusions. Mining in the study area is no longer an attractive source of income and families are looking for new alternatives; however, this must be accompanied by real production and market strategies if it is to be sustained over time.