Use of the gray water footprint as an indicator of contamination caused by artisanal mining in Colombia. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gallo Corredor, José Antonio; Lizeth Vargas González, Ginary; Velasco Granados, Marcela; Gutiérrez, Luis; Pérez, Edier Humberto
• Is Part Of: Resources policy. Volume 73(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Gray water footprint -- Artisanal gold mining -- Mercury -- Total suspended solids; Mines and mineral resources -- Periodicals; Ressources minérales -- Périodiques; Ressources naturelles -- Gestion -- Périodiques; Environnement -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; 333.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2021.102197
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4207

Abstract

Abstract: The production chain in the gold mining sector in Colombia is one of the most controversial as it requires large volumes of fresh water, and in some cases generates discharges without adequate prior treatment, which results in a high degree of contamination for ecosystems. In the municipality of Suarez there is a large territory dedicated to artisanal mining therefore, in order to provide relevant information for the mitigation of pollution caused by mining, a regional study is completed. In this study, the gray water footprint (GWF) was determined in 6 beds dedicated to artisanal gold mining, in the municipality of Suarez, Cauca, Colombia associated with high contents of TSS (Total suspended solids) and Hg (Mercury). The results showed indicated that the greatest problem in the high levels of GWF by artisanal gold mining activities is related to the dumping of total suspended solids and to a lesser extent the dumping of mercury, however the volume of water necessary to assimilate the pollutant load of mercury still high, so the implementation of clean technologies and the non-use of Hg is recommended. Therefore, it is recommended to build treatment systems to reduce the pollutant load discharge for minimize the environmental impact generated by them. HIGHLIGHTS: Artisanal mining generates an environmental impact increasing the levels of mercury and TSS in water zones. Evaluation of GWF of Hg and TSS used as indicator of contamination in water zones affected by artisanal mining. Gray water footprint measured in 15 h of work of mining with a input-output method. TSS are high in the study area, the implementation of clean technologies and the non-use of Hg is recommended.