Mining as a driver of socio-cultural conflicts in the municipality of Lloró, Chocó, Colombia

Abstract

The main objective of this research is to present how the socio-cultural conflicts in the Colombian municipality of Lloró, located in Chocó department have been invigorated in the last 10 years (2007-2017) by the alluvial mining, finding a correlation between the setting of an auric mining model with different actors that increased the familiar and community problems.
For the purpose of this investigation, semi-structured interviews were conducted with community leaders, community organizations (Community Council) and civil servants from the municipal government who provided relevant and conclusive information to affirm that the conflicts in the municipality are related to the increase of the mining activity which began
in 2008 with the entry of approximately 37 backhoes into the hands of outsiders with the permission of both the Mayor’s Office, community councils and families who own the properties; In 2012 Approximately, the number of backhoes was reduced to 25 and the conflict got worse with the arrival of criminal groups; so far in 2016 there are approximately 10 dragons in the municipality in 2017 they are revitalize by the presence and operation of two “dragones”.

This study shows that when moving from an agricultural socio-economic model to a directly mining socio-economic model in the hands of foreign nationals and foreigners, they generate social and cultural ruptures, causing a substantial change in the relationship of the citizens of the municipality; making it clear that whether there is a close relationship between culture, social behavior and economic activity.

The main aspects where changes were noted were: the socio-cultural aspect, specifically in music, diet, language, clothing, environment, change in the socio-cultural behavior of young people, initiation of homicides; In the family aspect, problems were identified in the limits or boundaries between the families. Problems in the possession or ownership of the land,
(the families do not reach an agreement to rent or sell the land for the mining activity, the families fight land ownership, families do not agree on redistribution of profits). In the community aspect, problems in the limits and boundaries between communities and between municipalities.