This doctoral dissertation offers a deep investigation into the interwoven social, ecological, and political consequences of mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Madre de Dios region of the Peruvian Amazon. Drawing from a political ecology lens, the study argues that mercury contamination is not merely a technical or environmental issue, but a result of decades of state decisions, regulatory ambiguity, and rural livelihood pressures. It traces how past development policies in Peru actively encouraged mercury-based gold extraction, shaping today’s extractive landscape where informal mining dominates and environmental degradation is widespread.
Through multi-sited fieldwork, the researcher analyzes how mercury circulates—physically through water and soil, and socially through economic systems and institutions. Communities directly involved in ASGM often rely on mercury to survive economically, yet they are also the most exposed to its toxic effects. Meanwhile, Indigenous communities downstream face ecological damage to fisheries and land, exacerbating longstanding territorial disputes and governance failures. The dissertation presents testimonies from miners, public health officials, environmental activists, and regional authorities, highlighting how each actor interprets the risks and responsibilities associated with mercury differently producing conflict over who is to blame and what should be done.
In terms of the social license to operate, the study reveals how unresolved contamination undermines both state legitimacy and community trust. Efforts to formalize mining or impose bans are often met with skepticism, particularly when they fail to address the structural roots of mercury dependency or offer viable alternatives. The dissertation calls for a holistic approach that combines environmental remediation with social justice—recognizing that legitimacy cannot be imposed through regulation alone. Instead, it must be earned by confronting historical accountability, strengthening participatory governance, and prioritizing the voices of those most affected by environmental harm.