Elizabeth Echavarria, Colombia
“ASM is a sector with many challenges, but new technologies have enormous potential to address them”
Elizabeth Echavarria
Responsible Mining Program Coordinator
Solidaridad
Medellin, Colombia
Elizabeth Echavarria, Responsible Mining Program Coordinator at Solidaridad, shares her experience supporting artisanal miners committed to responsible gold production.
How did you first become involved in the artisanal and small-scale mining sector?
I have been working in the ASM sector for eight years now, and specialize in project management. This includes promoting responsible artisanal and small-scale mining, as well as advocating on public policies and governance of the extractive industry in general.
I first got involved in the sector from political and public policy analysis after graduating from college, and I decided that I wanted to continue working in this space since I learn something every day and there are always new challenges.
What does your work consist of?
My work mainly consists of leading initiatives in Colombia and in the region that help communities and small miners improve their practices according to global demands and providing access to inclusive and fair markets. This brings them development and better permanent working conditions.
The project I am currently working on in Solidaridad Colombia has been very rewarding, as we are supporting small miners who have been committed to responsible gold production for years, so that they can access financial services through alliances with the private sector.
I have found it to be a very interesting challenge that can bring many benefits to artisanal miners, such as being able to invest in new technologies, grow as small entrepreneurs, and help their communities.
I hope that we achieve the objectives that we set for ourselves and that the initiative is a success.
What problems related to ASM in the Amazon do you think need more solutions?
It is very important to begin by reducing and progressively curbing the effects on the Amazon ecosystem that this type of mining can cause.
But to accomplish this, it is necessary to begin by creating incentive systems for formalization and strong controls on illicit activity in environmentally fragile areas.
Some incentives could include differentiated requirements for artisanal miners, technical support and training in best practices, and simplified procedures for communities that want to engage in mining do so in authorized areas and fully comply with legal, environmental, and other standards.
Video: Solidaridad supports the financial inclusion for the formalization of artisanal miners in Colombia
Can you tell us about new developments for ASM that you think will benefit the sector?
I think that the developments in remote sensing and artificial intelligence to identify sources of deforestation and pollution related to informal or illegal mining activities are very promising.
That kind of innovation could help governments gain more control over these activities, which is also needed to make formalization efforts more successful.
What are the greatest innovation opportunities related to ASM in the region?
ASM is a sector with many challenges, in social, environmental, and technical matters – but new technologies have enormous potential to address them.
For example, geographic observation systems could help monitor reforestation developments and deforestation risks; the use of mobile phones and internet access points, accompanied by digital literacy, can help bring key information and training to hard-to-reach areas, as well as collect data; Biometric recognition technologies are already being used to strengthen traceability and due diligence processes. Surely there are many more options.
What excites you most about The Artisanal Mining Grand Challenge: The Amazon?
I am excited for global innovations on the technological frontier to reach the Amazon and contribute to its conservation by involving artisanal miners. The miners are the people who move the economies of many towns in the region, and they can generate important changes that will benefit everyone as we are all connected to the resources that the forests of the Amazon provide.
