SVE

The area recovery plans are generated from an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) which is a requirement by law, to develop an excavation, either in the open or underground. Both the mine exploitation plan and the environmental recovery plan must be arbitrated by sound and competent institutions in order to carry out the pertinent evaluations, corrections, and subsequent inspections, respecting the country’s laws and regulations.

In global terms, the harpy eagle probably has a population in the range of 20,000 to 40,000 individuals throughout its habitat, with an estimated 3,500 individuals in Venezuela of which approximately 2,450 are found in the region of Guayana and the Orinoco river basin. 

That is when pollution of water bodies, their biota, the miners, and residents of nearby communities begins. The use of mercury becomes commonplace. The main difference between isolated concessionaires and miners is the efficiency with which they recover the gold, and therefore, the degree of exposure to mercury vapors. By 1989 and 1993 [3], there already were reports of miners, inhabitants, and fish contaminated with mercury. 

Nature is of special importance for the Pemón indigenous communities and is currently threatened by the expansion of destructive actions such as mining (gold, diamonds and coltan) and timber-related deforestation.

With about 37.5 million hectares of forest cover south of the Orinoco, the region has enormous potential for climate regulation services. The 7.2 million hectares currently committed to the Orinoco Mining Arc, represent around $1,465 million/year in opportunity cost, based on an estimated value of the global unitary climate regulation of the tropical forest of $2,044/ha/year (Groot et al. 2012).

The state of Amazonas, as a region of socio-economic interest, has a geography that enables fluvial communication, promoting the exchange of products and culture among communities throughout the region. The history of travel and exploration dates back to Alexander von Humboldt on his route down the Orinoco River.

Do you want to help progress solutions for the mining problems south of the Orinoco? Here are some ideas for you EXPLORA Magazine. Second Special Edition. 2021. Our first Special Edition had two goals: (1) to publicize the region with the greatest biological and cultural diversity in the country and Read more…