Risks Associated with the Impact of Climate Change on the Informal Mining Industry

Abstract

Informal mining is a very relevant activity in many regions of the world, as it provides employment and income to local communities. However, this activity faces significant challenges due to the impact of climate change. The objective of this study was to identify, analyze and synthesize, using a unique approach, the specific risks associated with the impact of climate change on the informal mining industry. Methodologically, it was a review study through an analysis of original content for the purpose of creating an authentic study, in which the following search engines were used: Scopus, Redalyc SciELO, Google Scholar and WoS. The analysis of the texts allowed identifying three categories of analysis: (a) Environmental challenges in informal mining: Evaluation of deforestation, soil degradation and water pollution as a consequence of climate change, (b) Health and safety risks of informal mining workers: Exposure to toxic substances and dangers associated with extreme weather phenomena and (c) Adaptation and mitigation strategies in informal mining in the face of climate change: Clean technologies, training and improvement of working conditions, which allowed obtaining a deeper understanding of the risks associated with the impact of climate change on the informal mining industry, identifying deforestation, land degradation and water pollution as significant environmental challenges affecting this industry due to climate change.