Convergence of illegal organized armed groups in alluvial gold mining at the Department of Antioquia’s Bajo Cauca subregion

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to describe alluvial gold mining and the convergence of the organized illegal armed groups in the Department of Antioquia's Bajo Cauca subregion. The results obtained are focused on identifying the theoretical framework, suggesting a concept, and describing the characteristic features of this activity from the criminal perspective. This was achieved on the basis of a conceptual approach and the factual representation of the information obtained through theoretical review, bibliographic consultation and field work in which different gathering techniques such as semistructured interviews, focus groups and non-participant observation were applied. The precedent for starting the inquiry was focused on the absence of a concept serving to delimit mining types and the confusion created by placing all illegal miners, either informal or criminal, within the same category. In addition, it is intended to raise a critical reflection with respect to the potential risks and threats that the convergence of these groups in these types of mining can create with social and territorial control, power and coercive power, and the institutionalization of criminal economic activities.