Colombia Tackles Illegal Gold Mining with New Tracking Measures

As of June 8, 2025, the Colombian government has announced a major effort to curb illegal gold mining through the introduction of a national gold-tracking system, set to launch in July. The move comes amid a dramatic surge in gold prices that has intensified illicit mining in Colombia’s remote jungle regions, particularly those controlled by armed groups such as the Gulf Clan and the ELN. It is estimated that up to 80% of Colombia’s gold is produced illegally, with these operations causing significant environmental destruction and funding organized crime. The government is under pressure to address both the violence and the widespread erosion of formal mining governance..