Thirst for Illegal Treasure. Gold Mining In Venezuela - Environmental Disaster.
So let's assume we found the lost city of El Dorado, at least the one marked on the map of Bolivar State. Here is the next part of the story about the golden region of Venezuela.
The Venezuelan Gran Sabana is one of the most ancient places on Earth and one of the last wild areas. Set in a world rich in natural wonders and resources, this cultural and ecological heritage is on the edge of being irreversibly transformed or destroyed. One of the oldest geological formations on the continent, south of Venezuela’s Orinoco River in the Guiana Highlands, is a strategic development zone.
View of the tepuis, Kukenan and Roraima, in the Gran Sabana, User: Paolo Costa Baldi Licence:CC BY-SA 3.0
Income to the Central Bank of Venezuela of 749 kilograms of gold from the Orinoco Mining Arc on November 18, 2017, Source: YVKE Mundial Radio Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0
For Sale - 55 Grams, Photo: @highonthehog
Large scale mines are owned by companies who will stay at the mining site until all of the mineral deposits in that area have been acquired. These companies may employ thousands of workers from the community. Large machinery is used to dig gold from the soil and mercury is used to amalgamate the gold deposits.
Small-scale mining consists of 4 to 5 men who travel around looking for gold. Land and River dredging are the two most popular methods used by small-scale miners.
Land dredging is done by digging a hole into the soil and then using a high-pressure water source to expose the gold. This water runs off into different locations usually making the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes carrying malaria.
River dredging consists of sucking up the ground beneath the river into pipes, which then filter out the gold particles. The displaced ground is then released into different areas of the river.
Gold Mining And Its Effects On The Amazon And Its Inhabitants
On the way, Photo: @highonthehog
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Gold amalgamation is one of the oldest gold extraction methods. Mercury added to gold and silver ores creates an amalgam by contact with such metals. An amalgam is an extremely malleable metallic state that is not an alloy and the dissolved metals can be separated from the mercury by evaporating the amalgam.
Myths And Realities In Artisanal Gold Mining Mercury Contamination
With a spare petrol, Photo: @highonthehog
Previous part here: The Myth Or Reality? El Dorado And The Bloody Grab for Gold in Venezuela
References
Photos: @highonthehog
Images: sources linked below
- Gustavo Angeloci Santos, Myths And Realities In Artisanal Gold Mining Mercury Contamination, The University Of British Columbia (Vancouver), 2013
- Juan Friede, Geographical Ideas And The Conquest Of Venezuela, The Americas, Vol. 16, No. 2 Pp. 145-159, Cambridge University Press, 1959
U.S. Geological Survey And Corporacion Venezolana De Guayana, Tecnica Minera, C.A., Geology And Mineral Resource Assessment Of The Venezuelan Guayana Shield United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1993
Helmut Waszkis, Mining in the Americas: Stories and History, Woodhead Publishing Limited, 1993
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Thank you!
it is very interesting story…
Thank you :)
I find it very interesting knowing the current situation with respect to gold mining in your country. Quite unfortunate that all over the world, corruption is almost becoming a global plague. I thing the world middle class has to coordinate response to deal with this criminal wherever they may be once and for all.
Yours is so similar to what obtains here. Damn.
Regards
@eurogee
Posted using Partiko Android
What is happening in Wenezuela probably temporarily is not equal to whats happening in any other civilised country. There is a big fuckup in every sector. It's a pity to look at it, I do not know if something will change in the near future, unfortunately.
American sanction is part of the issue. America should leave that country alone
I find it very interesting knowing the current situation with respect to gold mining in your country. Quite unfortunate that all over the world, corruption is almost becoming a global plague. I thing the world middle class has to coordinate response to deal with this criminal wherever they may be once and for all.
Yours is so similar to what obtains here. Damn.
Regards
@eurogee
Posted using Partiko Android
Good job very good I am from Venezuela the wonders offered by the country are beautiful a good trip, thank you for showing us your excellent work greetings and my respects my support with my vote.
Thank you, best regards and wishes for perseverance, strength and positivism in such a difficult situation.
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Thank you very much for appreciating my post, as always working on articles is a great trip back in time and I am glad that I can infect others with my madness :)
@highonthehog is a great post. But being a venezuelan is just too sad to read all the chaos and disaster happening in my country. I know that this chaotic place is our new country...
Thank you, before all, it is a beautiful and unique country. I'm still awe-inspired with its omnipresent wealth.. well let's try not to think too much about the F$%&&§ ups there, not much can be done now.
Hi @highonthehog!
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Muchas Graciassss :)
It is really petty for Venezuela. The poeple don't deserve what's going on in their country. Nice post, @highonthehog. You have my resteem and upvote on Polish version of the post.
Thank you @zorank. All the best.
This is so frustrating that there is no efficient intervention to stop this. Not only is it ecologically damaging but it is also putting the lives of those workers in huge risk.
A lot of miners died in mining accidents in my home country (Turkey) because of the harsh working conditions.
Thanks for sharing this, greetings from Cape Town :)
So this is one of the many aspects in this country that are completely in chaos and mismanagement. As I wrote this post I, it struck me that basically everything containing organic particles in this area is contaminated to a greater or lesser extent. I wonder just how much of this terrible chemicals I have acquired by eating fish and other stuff from there. Ewwwwwww :P
YAY to Cape Town, planning to visit in December , LOVE IT !