Colombia gold-mining footprint reaches 118,410 hectares in 2025
Government and UNODC mapping found alluvial gold mining evidence across 118,410 hectares, up from 113,310 hectares in 2024.
Event / data period: 2025
Published: · Updated:
A government and UNODC study identified evidence of alluvial gold mining on 118,410 hectares in Colombia during 2025, a 4.5% increase from 113,310 hectares the previous year. The report classified 75% as illicit, 21% as having technical and/or environmental permits, and 4% as transitioning toward legality.
The study said 15 of Colombia’s 32 departments had evidence of this activity. Chocó, Antioquia and Bolívar accounted for 82% of illicit activity; the report also flagged mining evidence in protected areas and on collective and Indigenous lands.
Data
Colombia gold-mining footprint reaches 118,410 hectares in 2025
Government and UNODC mapping found alluvial gold mining evidence across 118,410 hectares, up from 113,310 hectares in 2024.
- Area with evidence of alluvial gold mining
- 118,410 hectares
- 2025 · Observed
Methodology
Figure from the joint government and UNODC report for 2025; it measures evidence of activity, not gold output.
Updated:
Subjects and places
Subject proposals
- Metal and mineral mining and refiningSuggested
- Subject suggested from the title or summary: mining, gold miningwww.minenergia.gov.co ↗
- EnvironmentSuggested
- Preserved editorial category/topic; broad candidate onlywww.minenergia.gov.co ↗
Geographic references
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- Colombia · Place role: Coverage · Place type: Country or area · Location precision: RegionalEvidence
- Explicit preserved editorial country/region; no city or national centroid inferredwww.minenergia.gov.co ↗