• Many amateur miners test their luck searching for gold as a source of extra income in the hopes of improving their living conditions. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    Many amateur miners test their luck searching for gold as a source of extra income in the hopes of improving their living conditions. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • The price of the gold troy ounce currently stands at just below US$1,300. Above, a craftsman shows gold rings in Antioquia, Colombia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    The price of the gold troy ounce currently stands at just below US$1,300. Above, a craftsman shows gold rings in Antioquia, Colombia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A miner works at an unlicensed gold mine in Segovia. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A miner works at an unlicensed gold mine in Segovia. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • Many amateur miners test their luck searching for gold as a source of extra income in the hopes of improving their living conditions. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    Many amateur miners test their luck searching for gold as a source of extra income in the hopes of improving their living conditions. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A Colombian gold trader weighs a piece of gold in the municipality of Segovia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A Colombian gold trader weighs a piece of gold in the municipality of Segovia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A Colombian gold trader shows a piece of gold in the municipality of Segovia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A Colombian gold trader shows a piece of gold in the municipality of Segovia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A craftsman makes gold accessories for jewellery in Antioquia. Colombia produces some 66 metric tonnes of gold a year, or about US$33billion in exports. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A craftsman makes gold accessories for jewellery in Antioquia. Colombia produces some 66 metric tonnes of gold a year, or about US$33billion in exports. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A miner cools himself down at 'La Primavera', a licensed gold mine in Segovia. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A miner cools himself down at 'La Primavera', a licensed gold mine in Segovia. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A miner lights a candle at 'La Primavera', a licensed gold mine in Segovia municipality. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A miner lights a candle at 'La Primavera', a licensed gold mine in Segovia municipality. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • A craftsman works on a gold chain in Antioquia. Colombia produces some 66 metric tonnes of gold a year, or about US$33billion in exports. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    A craftsman works on a gold chain in Antioquia. Colombia produces some 66 metric tonnes of gold a year, or about US$33billion in exports. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • The La Primavera mining site, a licensed gold mine in Segovia municipality. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    The La Primavera mining site, a licensed gold mine in Segovia municipality. Colombia has more than 14,350 mines, more than half of which operate without proper permits. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • Mining accidents are common in Colombia, especially at wildcat mines in poverty-stricken areas dominated by criminal gangs with little state presence. Above, inside the La Primavera, a licensed gold mine. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    Mining accidents are common in Colombia, especially at wildcat mines in poverty-stricken areas dominated by criminal gangs with little state presence. Above, inside the La Primavera, a licensed gold mine. Raul Arboleda / AFP
  • Mining accidents are common in Colombia, especially at wildcat mines in poverty-stricken areas dominated by criminal gangs with little state presence. Above, an unlicensed gold mine in Antioquia. Raul Arboleda / AFP
    Mining accidents are common in Colombia, especially at wildcat mines in poverty-stricken areas dominated by criminal gangs with little state presence. Above, an unlicensed gold mine in Antioquia. Raul Arboleda / AFP

Business

In pictures: Colombia’s risky gold mining industry

Liz Claus

May 27, 2014

  • English
  • Arabic

Colombia produces some 66 metric tonnes of gold a year, or about US$33billion in exports. Mining the precious metal is however a risky business, with more than half of Colombia’s 14,350 mines operating without proper permits.

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