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Colombia's Gold Rush Fuels Illegal Economies
3 Oct
Summary
- Illegal gold mining areas grew 4.5% in 2025, reaching 118,410 hectares.
- Most expansion occurred on Afro-Colombian lands, impacting forest reserves.
- Illegal gold mining finances armed groups, second only to drug trafficking.
In 2025, Colombia witnessed a 4.5% expansion in illegal alluvial gold mining areas, increasing to 118,410 hectares. This growth marks the third consecutive year of such an increase.
The majority of this expansion, 61%, occurred on the lands of Afro-Colombian communities. Additionally, alluvial gold production was detected in 30 Indigenous reserves, raising significant concerns.
Seventy-five percent of the alluvial gold production is illegal, with only 21% possessing permits. Almost half of the mining areas are located in forbidden zones, including forest reserves and national parks.
This illegal mining is the second-largest source of financing for illegal armed groups in Colombia, following drug trafficking. The environmental consequences are severe, including widespread deforestation and river pollution from chemicals.
Minister Maria Nohemi Arboleda highlighted that nearly half of the alluvial gold mining areas also host coca cultivation, describing it as a "perfect business" that funds violence. She urged countries purchasing gold to implement traceability systems to ensure legal sourcing.
