1

The Mining Problem in Colombia and how it Affects the Same

Por: Yeisson Cortes Ruiz 7-C

Mining is a process which involves the extraction of valuable minerals from the earth,

this process, besides being a way for people to earn money, is also one of the biggest problems

that occur worldwide because it is the same and the way in which it is executed generates

different problems for society and the planet.

This problem as already said is based on the extraction of valuable materials but above all

this problem already affects the society thanks to some aspects included in the realization of this

problem for example you can see the case of mercury a chemical element which is used for the

extraction of some of these minerals, the gas that is released is chemical when used for this

process can be fatal for the people who inhabit it. Although this process is dangerous and

difficult for the people who carry it out, they continue to assimilate it since in many cases this

"work" is the only way that many people can get some money for themselves and their families

because although the minerals be very valuable do not get too much or too much. On the other

hand, not only the people with economic need carry out this work, but also companies all over

the world come to the country in search of these minerals. This problem in addition to affecting

people also affects the environment.

According to a study made by the National Institute of Natural Resources (Inderena), the

environmental impact caused by mining exploitation is great. The transformations that they

cause to the environment affect the water, geological, biological, atmospheric and socio-

economic resources. Some of these consequences are preventable, but others, irremediably,

cannot be avoided. [ CITATION ELT95 \l 9226 ]

¿How mining is affecting the population?

 2
In the last years the mining had been affecting our society and our environment in

different aspects. In Colombia a lot of hectaries are wasted, and lost, in spite of this a lot of

animals, humans and living things had been affected because they don’t have resources to

survive, one situation that demonstrate this is that only in the last 4 years there are been 30.000

hectaries affected in the amazons. Also a big percent of hydric zones of this place are been

affected because of the pollution of mercury extraction, but the soil or the material things are not

the only things affecting us, the air has also been contaminated, it pollutes everything with the

chemicals realizing gases that come with the mining. With this contaminated air a lot of persons

nearby these zones get serious sicknesses, especially the mining workers.

What is sought with this work is to make people aware of the great problem that is

mining for the whole country because as it has been seen this generates many diseases for us and

above all it also affects the environment, because if people aware of this and help to finish it all

these problems would disappear and this would make the world a better place for all humanity.

Quantitative hypothesis: If in Colombia a lot of hectaries are wasted then all the things

that are in the space are lost, because all the resources that animals or living things need are gone

or dead.

Qualitative hypothesis: if mining workers most of time, catch a pulmonary diseases, only

for the different gases contained in the mining extraction , then really mining is not only

deterring our ecosystem , but it is also affecting our body, and the affected people do not stop

working because they are not conscious and most of the time they only think about money that

can provide that type of work

 3
Independent variable: The scientist will try to make a substance that will not have toxins

that permit that the activity of mining will not affect the environment, and so the environment

last longer.

Dependent variable: If the scientist do the substance that they say the mining will not

affect the environment but it will affect the country economy but in a completely good way

because the persons will be able to do mining and nothing will happened in our world or

environment.
 4

[ CITATION Din18 \l 9226 ]

Based on everything that has been talking about mining is a dangerous process but at the

same time managed to maintain the economic situation of many people standing, but it is also

known that not only the people of the country turn to this process also corporations and
 5
companies from other countries they come to mine minerals illegally with chemicals such as

mercury, which are cheaper to get in the way but affect people and the environment more.

In my point of view this process is quite dangerous because both those who execute it and

those who do not, especially this process affects the environment and the living beings of this

planet, I know that this finances many people in need but afterwards of all these people can look

for another job apart from this so in my personal opinion this process should be finished if we

want to protect our planet.

Although this process as spoken has been part of the daily life of many people, it has to

be reflected that this is damaging our environment and daily life and after all these people can

get another job besides being able to be helped by the population to leave. This problem should

always be kept in mind when talking about this topic that I want for my life and above all that I

want for the future of others.

In conclusion, mining is a problem which is very evident in the country and which must

be stopped since it causes problems for us, the environment and the entire planet and it must end

with the same, not the least problems. What this brings, since after having solved the problem,

solving the problem will be easier.

 6

Referencias

Dinero. (4 de Diciembre de 2018). Dinero. Obtenido de La paradoja que vive el sector minero en

Colombia: https://www.dinero.com/edicion-impresa/negocios/articulo/situacion-del-

sector-minero-en-colombia/257223

EL TIEMPO. (3 de Mayo de 1995). EL TIEMPO . Obtenido de MINERIA AFECTA EL MEDIO

AMBIENTE: https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-497060
7