Two military operations carried out along tributaries of the Mondomo River weakened an illicit economy linked to illegal mining that was reportedly supporting organized armed groups and generating estimated profits of over 1.6 billion pesos per month, in addition to causing serious damage to the environment and riverside communities.
During military operations, National Army troops, including specialized units from the Brigade Against the Illegal Exploitation of Mineral Deposits, along with the 3rd Civil Security Battalion and the 8th Mountain Battalion, in coordination with the National Police,
raided two sites where illegal mineral extraction was taking place on tributaries of the Mondomo River, in rural areas of the municipalities of Caldono and Santander de Quilichao, Cauca.The first military operation took place in a rural area of the municipality of Caldono, near the Mondomo River, where illegal mineral extraction activities were being carried out using mechanized equipment such as motor pumps and dredges. At this site, a diver-type dredge and two diesel-powered motor pumps were found.
In a second military operation, carried out in a rural area of the municipality of Santander de Quilichao, also near the Mondomo River, a mining operation dedicated to the illegal extraction of minerals using mechanized equipment was raided. At this site, a dredge and two motor-pump engines were located, which were being used to sustain this illegal activity.
In total, these operations led to the seizure of two open-pit mining operations, as well as the subsequent controlled destruction of two dredges and four industrial engines, directly disrupting an illicit activity that generated criminal proceeds and which, according to military intelligence, was reportedly benefiting members of the Jaime Martínez structure residual organized armed group (GAO-r).
This operation resulted in an estimated loss of 24 million pesos for the elements involved in the illegal mining operation, in addition to disrupting a monthly production estimated at 3,000 grams of gold, with a market value of approximately 1.698 billion pesos. This operation represents a significant blow to the illicit economies derived from illegal mineral extraction in this area of Cauca.
Beyond the economic impact, these illegal activities caused contamination of water sources, directly affected aquatic fauna and flora, and led to the deterioration of soil and air quality, in addition to posing health risks to riverside communities that depend on these waterways for their livelihoods.
The National Army will continue to carry out sustained military operations aimed at protecting natural resources, undermining illicit economies, and countering the activities of criminal structures operating in northern Cauca.
Source:
Third Division Press.
