The United States Government recently introduced the Illegal Gold Mining Impact Calculator in Quito, aiming to highlight the economic, social, and environmental impacts of illegal gold mining. This online tool estimates the monetary value of damages caused by such activities in the Amazon region. The initiative seeks to enhance understanding and provide data for informed decision-making.
Developed in 2018 through a collaboration between Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) and Brazil's Federal Public Ministry (MPF), with support from Conservation X Labs for its adaptation to Ecuador, the calculator assesses the dollar equivalent impact based on extracted gold amounts. It is freely accessible at Calculadora | CSF (conservation-strategy.org).
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and CSF are actively promoting this tool to increase its regional influence and improve law enforcement measures.
Vice Minister of Government Esteban Torres participated in the workshop alongside Vice Minister of Water Maria Luisa Cruz, officials from various ministries, civil society representatives, indigenous groups, academia, and media. They discussed challenges posed by illegal mining in Ecuador and how this tool can aid mitigation efforts.
For the U.S., tackling illegal mining is vital for environmental protection, human rights assurance, security promotion, economic stability, and governance support in allied nations. The development of monitoring tools like this calculator aligns with community development goals.