Description
Partners: Continental Gold mining company, AngloGold Ashanti, Seafields Resources Canadian Exploration Company, Local and State governments of Antioquia and Risaralda, Ministry of Mines of Colombia, AngloAmerican Chile, The University of Queensland and civil society organizations
Impact: A severe global demand for natural resources lead multi national and local mining companies to drive escalating mining operations in Colombia. However, discontent among the local communities is growing; they are still stuck in poverty and left out of this economic boom. There is a need for greater developmental work and a sustainable livelihood approach, which needs the immediate attention of the Colombian government, local civil activists and mining companies. Dr. Isabel Franco’s research investigates specific institutional deficiencies in political and technological terms. It shows local agencies and multi stakeholders are unable to respond to the demands of infrastructure development, employment generation, land-use regulation and the social and environmental impacts of mining. The research discusses the challenges of existing government capacity- building gaps and their implications on the two mining dependent regions of Antioquia and Risaralda in Colombia. Dr. Isabel Franco compares the two regions and outlines the successes of amending planning processes in Risaralda leading to the creation of sustainable livelihoods. The research is based on qualitative research including field observations, interviews of local government officials, mining company executives and community activists.
