Reflections on Mining, Territoriality, and the New Post-Agreement Scenarios in Colombia

Abstract

The implementation of the Peace Agreement signed between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) requires new productive scenarios that take into account the economic potential and vocation of territories impacted by the war. In several subregions of the department of Antioquia, Colombia, affected by the armed conflict, mining is a common socio-economic activity that, when poorly practiced, has destroyed ecosystems and financed illegal armed groups; but, when well managed, it can help close the prevailing inequality gap. For this reason, self-sustainable community mining projects are proposed for the post-agreement stage in some territories where the FARC previously had a presence.