Coexistence between conventional alluvial mining and artisanal mining to deal with problems associated with informality in the lower Nechí River Basin-Colombia

Abstract

• Coexistence between artisanal gold mining (AGM) and conventional mining is a way to solve problems generated by AGM. • AGM needs exploitation rights, supervised autonomy, and technical and economic support to achieve operational standards. • Successful case of coexistence between AGM and conventional mining in Colombia. • Successful formalization processes require a partnership between the government, conventional mining and artisanal miners.