Beyond Drug Trafficking: How Illicit Mining Disproportionally Affects Society

By: Marcela Ventura

Just as the world evolves and changes, organized crime does as well. These changes have caused organized crime to expand far beyond drug trafficking and run a diverse array of illicit operations. Organized criminal organizations in Latin America have adapted by taking part in illegal gold mining, which has increasingly attracted the attention of many, not only because of its profitability, but also because of its profound social and environmental consequences.

Unlike cocaine, which is illegal throughout its production chain, gold illicitly mined can be sold without any trace of its illegality once refined. Unrefined gold can be traced by analyzing its elements and impurities, which tend to be unique to an area, but refined gold loses those unique components making it hard to trace its origins. Also, these criminal organizations already have the necessary routes, logistics, and networks needed to move gold, given that they are the same ones used for drug trafficking. This is just one of the reasons illicit mining has grown so much in the last couple of years. 

According to CNN’s article, Why illegal gold mining is overtaking cocaine as the drug of choice for traffickers in Latin America, illegal mining also boomed because of the effects the COVID-19 pandemic had on the labor market, particularly in Peru, where many were forced to look for alternative sources of income. Given that Peru was one of the countries hit the hardest during the COVID-19 pandemic, many found financial stability by working in these mines. 

Beyond generating income for individuals, families, and criminal organizations, illegal mining produces devastating environmental damage. As per the American Bar Association’s article, Gold and Shadows: The Illicit Plunder of Latin America’s Resources, “illicit mining of gold drives deforestation, habitat destruction, and biodiversity loss,” along with the long-lasting effects of mercury contamination. In Peru’s department of Madre de Dios, this contamination has resulted in elevated mercury levels in both people and fish, particularly affecting indigenous communities.

Fish is a staple of Amazonians’ diet, so the mercury in river fish severely affects this population. Women, who are often responsible for food preparation and childcare, bear a disproportionate burden and, if unable to handle these new challenges, can face greater dangers. Women are now faced with the responsibility of finding other culturally appropriate foods or risk exposing their families to mercury contamination. 

If food sources are no longer available locally, communities can become unprotected as others are tasked with gathering and hunting at new locations. In most cases, men are the ones tasked with hunting and gathering, so the ones left unprotected are women and children, and with criminal activity already surrounding the area, the risks abuse increase. 

On the other hand, if communities are displaced because of the lack of safe and cultural foods, they lose not only land but also tradition and knowledge. In these communities, women tend to be cultural ambassadors as they are the ones tasked with passing on the culture and traditions of the community to the children, a task that becomes exponentially harder to do when having to adapt to a new environment. This new environment might not be equipped to house the cultures and traditions of these communities. 

Additionally, if contamination is risked, the women in the community will most likely be tasked with taking care of the sick, adding more responsibility and work to their day-to-day lives. Leaving less time for their personal tasks, self-care and goals. 

Aside from mercury contamination, Amazonian communities face other challenges due to illicit mining, such as high levels of malaria. Many times, these communities already encounter many vulnerabilities due to a lack of government care, healthcare options, and inclusivity. So, while criminal organizations fill their pockets and gain more power through illicit mining, these communities are the ones paying the cost. 

Illicit mining is not only found in Peru, but is widespread across Latin America, home to various Amazonian and indigenous communities. As long as this new gold rush continues, we can expect increased violence, displacement, and cultural loss, with each community facing its own set of challenges and disadvantages. Unless this intersectionality of crime, environment, and health is addressed, the cost will continue to mount, and these communities will continue to suffer the consequences.