Book(s) 10 of 55

Within the framework of the ecosystems and human health approach, a methodology was designed and applied to carry out a strategic-prospective integrated assessment of the impact of gold mining activities on the environment and health of the population of Las Claritas (Estado Bolívar) and San Juan de Manapiare (Estado Amazonas). The strategic-prospective integrated assessment has an exploratory aim, and its main objective is the interpretation of the dynamics of the environmental system, so as to inquire the effects of the application or non-application of a certain development policy. The methodology is developed based on three levels of analysis.

First level: the structure of the environmental system is modeled and the analysis is centered on the identification of the strategic-key variables (that condition the dynamics of the system) by the interrelation (motricity-dependency) of ecological, social, cultural and economic variables, associated with the effects on human health by mining activities.

Second level: the actors are identified based on their greater incidence upon the strategic-key variables.

Third level: three basic scenarios are defined: tendential, desirable and pessimist; these images of the future are adjusted to the strategic-key variables detected. Based on the analysis of the structure of the mining environmental system, the increase in the level of the quality of life of the population in general, and in particular of indigenous communities, was determined to be the strategic-key variable for achieving the desirable scenario. For the Las Claritas case study, as a policy for sustainable development, the importance of the role of the large mining companies (main actor) is evident, and they should favor their association with the organized community of small miners. For San Juan de Manapiare case study, the Venezuelan state (main actor) should strengthen the natural character of the region, minimizing the participation of indigenous communities in mining activities.

Presenter:   Carlos MONEDERO GARCIA

Organization:  Universidad Central de Venezuela

Book(s) 10 of 55