Illegal mining in Colombia continues: two gold mines close in Farallones, Cali
Authorities in Cali found two new illegal gold mines, which were immediately shut down. These mines were located in the Los Farallones de Cali National Natural Park.
National and regional authorities are currently carrying out these actions as part of a national plan to eliminate this criminal activity from the National Park.
According to Cali police, the Zacarías and La Laguna mines imploded in this new operation. Now All that remains is to make the final closure of the other four points Which would make this protected area of Cali completely free of illegal mining.
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According to the newspaper El País de Cali, the last procedures will be carried out in the month of November after the COP16 on biodiversity.
In addition, the strategy is being carried out very cautiously given that none of the entities involved in the Farallones cleanup wanted to talk about the closure or the operation, which will take place in about a month.
Some sources told the aforementioned media that the authorities will now be challenged “how to keep the park free of mining after the intervention, so it would be necessary to deploy, for example, permanent entry control posts and the High Mountain Battalion group, among others.”
“Los Farallones de Cali National Natural Park is a jewel in the crown and is threatened by illegal mining. It is our duty to work with local communities and public forces to protect this scenario and develop ecotourism,” said Cali Mayor Alejandro Eder.
The local president is clear that the Farallones are the symbolic natural environment of the “Pacific of the capital of Colombia” and are a real “gold mine” that It must be protected from illegal, indiscriminate and environmentally destructive use. especially now that Cali will be the epicenter of the UN Conference on Biological Diversity-COP16.
Its impressive landscape, crystal clear rivers, waterfalls and lush forests offer the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, bird watching, camping and contemplating the native fauna and flora. According to the office of the mayor of Cali, the immense wealth of this national natural park has brought them into the spotlight in recent years. criminals capable of cutting down entire hectares of forest and contaminating river sources with mercury to extract a few “golden nuggets”.
According to the latest figures from the Cali Mayor’s office, 10 people have been arrested so far in 2024 and in the ongoing operations against illegal mining in the city. In addition, mines were struck nine times and 52 improvised residential complexes (cambuchus) and nine power plants were destroyed, among other things.
Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development He hopes that by 2024, the year of the UN Conference on Biological Diversity, it will be possible to declare that all illegal mines in the Farallons will be closed.
“With the leadership of the National Council to Combat Deforestation (Conaldef), we hope to create more professions in the communities so that this change leads us to environmental protection processes, tourism potential and scientific research,” he emphasized.
The Minister attended the Environmental Security Council where, in addition to the installation of a specialized unified command post (PMU), local authorities also announced the closure (implosion) of the Zacarías and La Laguna mines, which today affect the Farallones de Cali National Natural Park.
“This is the second phase of the operation to control illegal mining in the Farallones and progress has been made both in the investigation of the crimes with 27 arrest warrants and in the consolidation of social agreements in the settlements located in the buffer zone of the Park,” Muhamad added.