An insight to the Mighty Southern Orinoco. Second Special Edition

Provita, the SVE and EXPLORA Nature Projects, have developed this second special edition of the EXPLORA magazine, with all the aspects related to the effects of the mining exploitation in the southern Orinoco.

Publication:  January 2021.

List of articles

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  Mining exploitation and institutionality in 21st century Venezuela
  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.
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  How deforestation and degradation of forests in the southern Orinoco affects the survival of the Harpy Eagle
  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. 
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  Current situation of auriferous (gold) mining and other minerals
  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. 
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  Ecotourism – a development alternative for the Pemón indigenous community of San Miguel de Betania (Imataca Forest Reserve, Sifontes Municipality).
  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.
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  Ecological Economy South of the Orinoco
  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).
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  Biodiversity and the sustainable development of tourism in the Amazonas: a socio-economic alternative for the region
  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.
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  Do you want to help progress solutions for the mining problems south of the Orinoco? Here are some ideas for you
  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 […]
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  Is sustainable tourism possible in Bolívar and Amazonas states? Negative implications of the Mining Arc on our tourism strength
  Historically, tourism in the states of Bolívar and Amazonas has been marketed as an activity of adventure, physical challenge and cultural contact. The first tourism trials were different in each state. In Bolívar, it was focused on adventure (trekking and hiking) and nature-based (birdwatching, camping, nature interpretation) tourism.
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  Self-management in local communities of the lower Caura: Towards a sustainable model of forest management through conservation agreements as an alternative to extractivism
  In a better national context, with strong institutions, assertive democratic policies, economic stability and respect for the human rights, these agreements would be a scalable and replicable model in other high biodiversity areas.
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  Impacts of illegal mining on indigenous peoples of the Venezuelan Amazon
  All the damage caused by illegal mining in the Venezuelan Amazon begins with the occupation of indigenous territories. The occupation per se, constitutes a serious violation of indigenous people’s territorial and socio-cultural rights3, as it manifests itself through the alteration of the ancestral ways of life by which the 19 indigenous groups of this region have lived.