Gaia Amazonas

Yaigojé Apaporis, endangered by gold

This indigenous resguardo (legally-recognised, collectively-owned territory), created in 1988, is the only Colombian territory has been declared a National Natural Park at the request of the communities living there. In its 1,060,603 hectares there are plants and animals unique to the Amazon region, and indigenous peoples with an ancient tradition. Both are at risk on account of interest in gold in the area. The group of indigenous people who want to safeguard Yuisi or La Libertad rapids, a sacred place where humanity originated, does not welcome the idea that the Canadian mining company, Cosigo. Resources Ltd., should explore the territory in this quest. Others, however, prefer the intervention of the company. Special report.

On this case, the Attorney General's Office opened disciplinary proceedings against eight Ingeominas officials for their alleged involvement in the granting of mining titles and processes that were filled for them; and on 13th July 2011, Ingeominas was asked to revoke the mining title granted to Cosigo Resources two days after the official creation of the National Park, given that the area is a resguardo and no mining exploration and/or exploitation can be carried out.

Commercial interest aroused by gold, a metal that is sacred to our indigenous communities, is threatening the biodiversity of the Amazon and the union of the peoples inhabiting the area. For about 30 years small-scale miners have been on the trail of the metal. They are now displaced by a Canadian company being questioned about the handling of its search; the same company that today, according to research by Gaia Amazonas, is behind the 23 applications for mining titles for the Yaigojé Apaporis National Park which are being studied by Colombia’s environmental authorities (see map).

There is suspense in Colombia, and among organizations from other parts of South America who are concerned with conservation and preservation of the environment and indigenous cultural traditions, because the company holds a title for mining exploration and exploitation in this national nature reserve, the granting of which is being studied by the Colombian Constitutional Court.

The topic also has been involved the Attorney General's Office, which opened disciplinary proceedings that eight Ingeominas officials for allegedly participating in the granting of mining titles to be executed in the area, which go directly against the appointment of the area as a park and nature reserve. In addition, on 13th July 2011, prosecutors also served notice to Ingeominas requesting the revocation of mining rights granted to Cosigo Resources, on 29th October 2009, just two days after the official creation of the park.

  Yaigojé Apaporis, endangered by gold