The restoration of areas degraded by Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM) in the Amazon has a positive and significant impact on the region’s ecosystem, as it allows the regeneration of native flora and fauna. Giving back to the Amazon its natural wealth is one of the main objectives of the Pure Earth Peru team.
Pure Earth Peru has implemented reforestation pilots as part of responsible mine closure in the Peruvian Amazon, planting more than 13,750 trees (19 different species) in several mining concessions in Madre de Dios.
These pilots are part of an ASGM model that Pure Earth has been promoting for several years, which is being implemented and improved within the framework of the project “Mercury-Free Fairmined Gold Value Chain Strengthening and Amazon Rainforest Restoration” funded by Brilliant Earth and in partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM). This project promotes the elimination of mercury use, protecting miner’s health and supporting compliance with the country’s commitment to the Minamata Convention through restoration of degraded areas and generation of incentives for responsible mining through connection with responsible buyers.
This important journey has been possible thanks to the support and backing of Pure Earth’s strategic allies: the Center for Amazonian Scientific Innovation (CINCIA), the Peruvian Amazon Research Institute (IIAP), the 6th Brigade of the Special Forces of the Peruvian Army in Madre de Dios, and especially the mining concessions that form part of the association with which we work, who are committed to a healthy and sustainable future for their communities.
Biodiversity returns
As plants and trees re-establish themselves, new habitat is created for a wide variety of species, including some endangered ones. This restored biodiversity is essential to the Amazon ecosystem.
In this powerful image, the fresh tracks of a margay margay (an ocelot-like animal native to Central and South America) blend into a freshly reforested plot. These marks are a visual testament to the positive effects of reforestation on our tropical wildlife.
“As we work to restore these degraded landscapes, we can witness the recovery of the landscape’s biodiversity,” says France Cabanillas, Local Coordinator for Pure Earth Peru.
He adds, “The restoration of degraded areas also contributes to improving the living conditions of the miners by providing them with shaded areas and vegetation (as in the Amazon forest), which help them withstand the high temperatures typical of the Amazon, which are even more accentuated in summer and in these uncovered, unvegetated and degraded areas. We are generating a culture of wanting to reforest to live better and not just to comply with the law, which is fundamental for these initiatives to be replicable and sustainable”, complements Cabanillas.
The restoration of areas degraded by ASGM in the Amazon not only has a positive impact on the environment but also benefits local communities. The recovery of these areas can also create sustainable economic opportunities by improving people’s quality of life and restoring biodiversity to this valuable ecosystem.
Recent project milestones
- Over 23 days in February and March 2023, 15 people participated in the reforestation of an additional plot of land.
- Thanks to this effort, 3.25 hectares of area degraded by mining were reforested in February 2023.
- A total of 5,418 seedlings of 8 species (5 cover species [bobinsana, achiote, guaba, guayaba and pashaquillo] and 3 diversity species [lupuna, shihuahuaco and amasisa]) were planted.
- For the first time, we experimented with the use of leguminous cover species. Seeds of 2 types of Crotolaria were sown within the plantation to prevent erosion and provide biomass and nitrogen to the soil.
- With each seedling, 2 kg of enriched substrate were added to the soil for a total of 17 tons.
- The variables of total height and diameter at the base height were measured for each seedling in order to have a baseline.
For future steps, Pure Earth Peru plans to complete the following: measure tree growth and mortality, maintain and fertilize the newly reforested plot, and promote plant production through the tree nursery of a mining concessionaire project partner who is interested in continuing reforestation efforts.