abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb

The content is also available in the following languages: 简体中文, 繁體中文

Story

13 Nov 2024

Colombia: Zijin's Buriticá gold mine sparks ongoing tensions over security, environmental impacts and community relations

Ernst Udo Drawert/Diálogo Chino

Zijin's Buriticá project, located 100 kilometers from Medellín, marks the first Chinese-operated gold mine in Colombia. After acquiring Continental Gold in March 2020, Zijin Mining's operations have become a focal point of local tensions. The project has become a focal point of tensions between different stakeholders, including the company, local communities, and traditional miners who have worked in the area for generations.

While Zijin promotes formal employment and economic development through the project, conflicts have emerged with local ancestral miners who seek recognition of their traditional mining rights and formalization of their activities. These tensions escalated in 2023-2024, leading to protests, security incidents, and ultimately an international arbitration case filed by Zijin against the Colombian government over security concerns. The disputes affect not only the company's operations but also impact Buriticá's 10,000 residents and hundreds of local mining families whose livelihoods depend on access to the area's gold resources.

Timeline

Privacy information

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies. You can set your privacy choices below. Changes will take effect immediately.

For more information on our use of web storage, please refer to our Data Usage and Cookies Policy

Strictly necessary storage

ON
OFF

Necessary storage enables core site functionality. This site cannot function without it, so it can only be disabled by changing settings in your browser.

Analytics cookie

ON
OFF

When you access our website we use Google Analytics to collect information on your visit. Accepting this cookie will allow us to understand more details about your journey, and improve how we surface information. All analytics information is anonymous and we do not use it to identify you. Google provides a Google Analytics opt-out add on for all popular browsers.

Promotional cookies

ON
OFF

We share news and updates on business and human rights through third party platforms, including social media and search engines. These cookies help us to understand the performance of these promotions.

Your privacy choices for this site

This site uses cookies and other web storage technologies to enhance your experience beyond necessary core functionality.