The cartels are diversifying. Criminal groups in Colombia have been quietly yet increasingly shifting parts of their operations from cocaine trafficking into small-scale gold mining. To date, illegal alluvial gold extraction in Colombia’s northern regions has resulted in at least 100,000 hectares of the nation’s nature reserves being contaminated by mercury. The rise in illegal gold mining activities directly threatens Colombia’s coastlines, biodiversity and impacted communities’ water security. Simultaneously, the cartels’ pursuit of 24 carat gold is placing renewed pressure on matters of national security as “narco” organizations now compete to dominate the lucrative mineral extractive trade. There is an urgent need for the governing authorities to conduct environmental impact assessments (EIAs) in the affected. This seminar presents a succinct overview of the cartels role in the nation’s extractive industry, the environmental and health risks faced by local communities, and potential avenues for cooperation to open water governance talks with multiple hostile stakeholders.

Juliana Hayden Nygren, is a PhD candidate in law and management at the University of Turin. Her doctoral research specializes in blue economy management and governance and EU climate diplomacy financing. She works at the Departments of Law & Management, University of Turin (UNTIO).