Since the early 2000s, as the price of the precious metal has risen, the region has experienced a violent gold rush as leftist guerrillas, neo-paramilitary outfits and drug trafficking groups have established their presence to control mining operations. Illegally mined gold is fuelling violence as gold has overtaken cocaine as the main source of revenue for armed groups.
Illegal mining in Colombia brings in approximately $7bn a year (link in Spanish) to armed groups and criminal bands.
Segovia is at the centre of this violence. Almost 20 percent of Colombia's gold is produced in the nearly 50 mines operating there, according to Segovia's mayor's office.
Local villagers - many of them artisanal miners - have been shaken by extortions, threats, territorial disputes and grudge fights. These miners, including rural Colombians from across the country who have come in search of work, working in the mountains or on riverbanks, are forced to pay a "tax" to the armed group that controls their area.
These informal miners have also been killed and forcibly displaced by the armed groups.
"You have to pay them. If not, they will kill you," says Carlos Mario Alvarez, a 60-year-old mining leader.
No comments:
Post a Comment