Introduction:

This systematic review article describes the environmental and socioeconomic impact on health generated by handmade gold mining in Colombia. For this study articles published between 2010 and 2019 were considered. The objective of this bibliographic review is to describe the environmental and socioeconomic impact on health generated by gold mining in Colombia.

Materials and methods:

Work constructed through systematic review, using the following descriptors: mining, informal sector, health risk, health conditions. For this search, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, Publindex databases were used, as well as Colombian regulations.

Results:

The environmental, socioeconomic, and health categories were developed. In the environmental category, information on environmental sustainability, management of discharges, physicochemical tests, and government control is detailed. In the socioeconomic category, the dilemmas between mining and the environment are described, the dilemma between small or artisanal mining and large-scale or industrialized mining, and the social and economic conflict. In the third category, health, the effects and perception of the population regarding health damage, labor protection, social innovation, and opportunities for change for cleaner and healthier production are analyzed.

Conclusions:

The studies carried out are mainly concentrated in the department of Antioquia, showing the need to carry out research in other areas of the country. Although there is mining legislation in Colombia, the government is required to establish effective control measures, train, and socialize the miners on adequate gold processing methods, guaranteeing the environmental and social development and protection of its miners.

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