Introduction:

Understanding the social, environmental, and regulatory context is essential when addressing subsistence gold mining. This activity can serve as a source of economic sustainability for some communities, yet it can become highly polluting if not carried out in accordance with environmental authority guidelines. In this regard, associativity among miners becomes a key element for achieving sustainable mining practices.

Objective:

The study aimed to identify the influence of subsistence miners’ participation in community environmental education processes in order to promote environmentally sustainable mining.

Methodology:

The research adopted a quantitative and deductive approach, developed in two phases: one descriptive and the other explanatory. Participants included subsistence miners from the Asociación de Mineros Artesanales del Tolima, in the municipality of Chaparral.

Results:

The findings revealed that miners possess knowledge, practices, and traditions that support the implementation of good mining practices. They also value and make use of participatory spaces focused on community environmental education and the formalization of mining activities.

Conclusions:

Knowledge of and proper compliance with environmental laws are essential to ensure community well-being and environmental protection. This knowledge has been strengthened through the support, guidance, and monitoring provided by the Asociación de Mineros Artesanales del Tolima, which has contributed to the adoption of good mining practices and greater sustainability in the activity.

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