The Andean Community (CAN) held a video conference involving diplomatic, environmental and mining officials of its four member States to share experiences on possible cooperation within the framework of the CAN to address illegal mining.
Participants explored possible forms of cooperation under the framework of the CAN.
29 February 2012: The Andean Community (CAN) held its first meeting on coordination regarding illegal mining, which provided an opportunity to share experiences on possible cooperation within the framework of the CAN to address this issue.
The meeting, held by video conference on 29 February 2012, brought together representatives of foreign ministries, as well as of mining and environmental authorities of the four CAN member States (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru). It was convened at the joint request of the Presidents of Colombia and Ecuador.
The CAN meeting included an overview by each delegation of the illegal mining situation in their own country, and a description of the current policies and legislation that exist or are in the pipeline to address the problem. Participants underscored that illegal mining is destroying thousands of hectares of Andean forests and ecosystems every year, polluting river basins, threatening biodiversity and harming human health.
Participants explored possible forms of cooperation under the framework of the CAN, in particular a proposal to develop and implement a Community legal norm that would facilitate the prevention of and fight against illegal mining. This norm would cover all aspects related to: the exploration, exploitation and marketing of minerals; environmental protection; the control of chemicals used such as mercury and cyanide; the training for artisanal miners; and social and health aspects. [CAN Press Release (in Spanish)]