# 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.

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- Publisher: Newsverum
- Section: Environment
- Country: Colombia
- Published: 2026-10-06T17:58:49+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-07T05:57:14+03:00
- Event / data period: 2025
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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.

Methodology: Figure from the joint government and UNODC report for 2025; it measures evidence of activity, not gold output.

| label | value | unit | period | basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area with evidence of alluvial gold mining | 118410 | hectares | 2025 | observed |

Sources: <https://www.minenergia.gov.co/es/sala-de-prensa/noticias-index/colombia-registro-118410-hectareas-con-explotacion-de-oro-de-aluvion-en-2025-segun-el-informe-anual-del-gobierno-nacional-y-unodc/> · Download data: [JSON](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/colombia-gold-mining-footprint-reaches-118410-hectares-in-2025/data/reported-figure?lang=en&format=json) · [CSV](https://newsverum.com/api/v1/articles/colombia-gold-mining-footprint-reaches-118410-hectares-in-2025/data/reported-figure?lang=en&format=csv)

## Sources

- [Ministry of Mines and Energy and UNODC](<https://www.minenergia.gov.co/es/sala-de-prensa/noticias-index/colombia-registro-118410-hectareas-con-explotacion-de-oro-de-aluvion-en-2025-segun-el-informe-anual-del-gobierno-nacional-y-unodc/>) (Source checked: 2026-10-06; Published: 2026-10-02)

## Correction history

- 2026-10-07T00:49:21+03:00: German and Portuguese editions and translations of the data and correction explanations have been added to this article.
- 2026-10-07T05:57:14+03:00: Data classification added: each figure now carries a measure identifier with its unit, geography, frequency and type. No figure, unit or date changed.

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