9
comprehensive information to be collected about a more focused issue. The research
was also organised to follow the structure of the SLF.
2.2.1 Research Overview and Case Study Areas
Colombia is located in the north of South America and has experienced an escalating mining growth over the last three decades. It is the main producer of coal in
Latin America and the twelfth largest globally, the third major producer of nickel
after Cuba and the Dominican Republic and is also known as a leading exporter of
gold and emeralds (Idarraga et al. 2010; Torres 2001; Vilora de la Hoz 2009).
Mining along with oil extraction represented 4.6% of the national GDP in 2005
(UPME 2006, p. 19). The resource boom is not particular to a specific region, with
exploration and mining operations being spread throughout the country.
The research presented here was undertaken in Risaralda and Antioquia, two
resource regions, located in the Colombian Andes mountain range. These geographical areas are some of the most active producers of minerals and metals in Colombia.
Mining and exploration projects operated in Risaralda impact on communities and
human settlements and their livelihoods in both urban and non- urban areas. Risaralda
is highly urbanised, with 665,104 (77.4%) of the total population of 859,666 living
in urban areas in 2005 (DANE 2005). With a total of 230,532 households, the average household size was approximately 3.7 persons in 2005.
The State of Antioquia is located on the North Pacific Coast of Colombia.
Antioquia has an active mining industry, as it holds the largest reserves of gold,
silver, coal, platinum and construction materials in Colombia. Mining projects currently operated by domestic and multinational companies have significant implications for local communities (Cámara de Comercio de Medellín para Antioquia
2010; Sistema de Información Minero Energético Colombiano 2010). Antioquia is
also highly urbanised with 4,340,744 (77.5%) of its population of 5,601,507 living
in urban areas in 2005 (DANE 2005). The average household size, at 3.8 persons,
was similar to that in Risaralda.
2.2.2 The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF)
The structure used to guide the research presented in this chapter was based on what
is variously called the ‘sustainable livelihoods framework’ (Hostetler 2006) or the
‘sustainable livelihoods approach’ (Mazibuko 2013). As Mazibuko (2013, pp. 174–
5) makes clear, it is not a theory or a model but ‘as a framework ... [it] helps in
considering the phenomenon and recognizing patterns’. It was used in this way in
this research. One of the core components of the framework is the notion of ‘livelihood’ itself. A livelihood comprises the capabilities and activities required for the
2 SDG 1 No Poverty
comprehensive information to be collected about a more focused issue. The research
was also organised to follow the structure of the SLF.
2.2.1 Research Overview and Case Study Areas
Colombia is located in the north of South America and has experienced an escalating mining growth over the last three decades. It is the main producer of coal in
Latin America and the twelfth largest globally, the third major producer of nickel
after Cuba and the Dominican Republic and is also known as a leading exporter of
gold and emeralds (Idarraga et al. 2010; Torres 2001; Vilora de la Hoz 2009).
Mining along with oil extraction represented 4.6% of the national GDP in 2005
(UPME 2006, p. 19). The resource boom is not particular to a specific region, with
exploration and mining operations being spread throughout the country.
The research presented here was undertaken in Risaralda and Antioquia, two
resource regions, located in the Colombian Andes mountain range. These geographical areas are some of the most active producers of minerals and metals in Colombia.
Mining and exploration projects operated in Risaralda impact on communities and
human settlements and their livelihoods in both urban and non- urban areas. Risaralda
is highly urbanised, with 665,104 (77.4%) of the total population of 859,666 living
in urban areas in 2005 (DANE 2005). With a total of 230,532 households, the average household size was approximately 3.7 persons in 2005.
The State of Antioquia is located on the North Pacific Coast of Colombia.
Antioquia has an active mining industry, as it holds the largest reserves of gold,
silver, coal, platinum and construction materials in Colombia. Mining projects currently operated by domestic and multinational companies have significant implications for local communities (Cámara de Comercio de Medellín para Antioquia
2010; Sistema de Información Minero Energético Colombiano 2010). Antioquia is
also highly urbanised with 4,340,744 (77.5%) of its population of 5,601,507 living
in urban areas in 2005 (DANE 2005). The average household size, at 3.8 persons,
was similar to that in Risaralda.
2.2.2 The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF)
The structure used to guide the research presented in this chapter was based on what
is variously called the ‘sustainable livelihoods framework’ (Hostetler 2006) or the
‘sustainable livelihoods approach’ (Mazibuko 2013). As Mazibuko (2013, pp. 174–
5) makes clear, it is not a theory or a model but ‘as a framework ... [it] helps in
considering the phenomenon and recognizing patterns’. It was used in this way in
this research. One of the core components of the framework is the notion of ‘livelihood’ itself. A livelihood comprises the capabilities and activities required for the
2 SDG 1 No Poverty