In a vibrant exchange of knowledge and emotions, a group of Peruvian women, members of the MAPE Women Miners Network of Madre de Dios, experienced a unique journey in Antioquia, Colombia. This internship, organized in collaboration with Wyss Academy, Pure Earth Peru and Pure Earth Colombia, went beyond technical matters and became a life lesson and a path to empowerment. This collaboration allowed them to learn about and share processes, cultures, and organizational models that inspire a deep change in the way mining is understood.
For some of these women, it was their first experience outside the country. From the very beginning, the contrast of the Colombian environment – with its warm people, lush landscapes, and a cuisine that invites exploration – sparked their curiosity and broke their routine. Upon arriving in the lands of Antioquia, they felt welcomed by a pleasant climate and a landscape that fuses the dynamism of mining with the serenity of other productive activities.
Day 1: Visit to the Juan Diaz Processing Plant (Yalí)
The first stop of the tour was at the Juan Diaz processing plant, in Yalí. There, Mr. Oseas García, along with the plant engineer, warmly welcomed the participants and guided them through the facility. In this space, the women had the opportunity to closely observe technologies and processing methods that are uncommon in their region, such as cyanidation and the use of activated carbon.
The visit coincided with the presence of leaders from the University of Chocó, which led to a conversation focused on the problems and challenges faced by both mining realities in their respective regions.
This visit, beyond opening doors to technical learning, became a space where the Women Miners were able to learn about and discuss the reality, the problems, and the challenges faced by other mining realities and their own.
Day 2: Exploration and Organization at the Quintana Camp
On the second day, the itinerary continued at the Quintana mining camp, located in the municipality of Remedios. The participants were able to observe the organization of a medium-scale underground mining operation and the entire mining process, from extraction to processing.
The visit allowed the women to understand the dynamism of the extractive and productive processes. A particularly important and striking point for them was the level of organization and order that is implemented and practiced at the Quintana mining camp. Although this corresponds to a medium-scale mining operation, it serves as a model to follow and adapt to the artisanal mining carried out by these Women in the Madre de Dios region.
Days 3 and 4: Alluvial mining is much more than gold at Hacienda Río Rayo, Tarazá
The last stage of the trip took place at Hacienda Río Rayo, located in Tarazá, where two intense days of learning and connection with a diversity of productive activities developed from alluvial mining were experienced.
Mr. Iván Rodríguez, representative of Hacienda Río Rayo, prepared a tour of the Hacienda and its surroundings so that the Women Miners Network could learn not only about the processes implemented regarding alluvial mining, but also the productive activities that have developed from it and how the local population has been involved, maintaining a strong social commitment.
The women of the Network observed the entire mining process, from extraction to processing, and were especially interested in the use of sophisticated technology in the clarification stage. On the social side, one of the most remarkable aspects was the opportunity to share and learn from the reality of a group of women miners, the barequeras, who —unlike them— did not have a network or organization.
This meeting allowed the Women’s Network to recognize that having managed to form their organization was a fundamental step to begin significant changes in their communities. As one of them said: “Organization is the most important thing in order to be heard.”
At Hacienda Río Rayo, Mr. Iván has been implementing an innovative model that was born under the premise “where a mine dies, an ecosystem is born,” the model called MiREC. It is structured in four key components: RECONVERT the alluvial mining process, REMEDIATE through ecosystem restoration, RETHINK productive ecosystems, and REUSE in favor of social well-being. This model of responsible mining and circular economy caught the attention of the participants as it demonstrates how mining gives rise to many other productive activities, acting in synergy with them.
The soil impacted by mining is restored with native species and one exotic species, Acacia mangium, all produced in the Hacienda’s nursery. The restoration plantations have made it possible to establish ecological corridors, in areas that were formerly mines, where it is now common to observe a growing diversity of fauna. The mature Acacia mangium trees are used in a well-equipped sawmill at the Hacienda, and the wood is mostly transformed into beehives to support another productive activity developed on the farm: beekeeping. Furthermore, within this economy, Hacienda Río Rayo involves the local population, those who were once affected by armed conflict, and who now benefit directly or indirectly.
Without a doubt, this model has generated in each of the participants a strong desire to replicate these experiences, always in the context of mining in Madre de Dios.
A Knowledge Exchange and a Legacy of Empowerment
For many of these women, this trip represented their first experience abroad, a milestone that overflowed with emotion and opened new horizons. Each stage of the journey encouraged learning, reflection, and above all, solidarity. The experience lived in Antioquia, Colombia, became a clear example of how the organization and unity of women can generate significant changes not only in the technical sphere but also in the social and environmental ones.
This trip symbolizes the power of women’s empowerment, the transfer of knowledge, and the search for development models that integrate mining with environmental, economic, and social aspects. Within the framework of the project “Supporting Women Miners’ Sustainable Livelihoods & Restored Environments” by Pure Earth, it becomes clear how initiatives that promote education and collaboration can transform and enrich environments, creating conditions for women to become true agents of change.
Each stage of the journey – from the technical visit to the Juan Diaz plant, the exploration of the Quintana mining camp, and the model of responsible mining and circular economy at Hacienda Río Rayo – left an indelible mark on the hearts of the participants. This story celebrates the courage, determination, and adaptability of these women, recognizing that the path to technological, environmental, economic, and social transformation is built on collaboration, continuous learning, and a commitment to improving the sector.
From Pure Earth Peru, we honor this knowledge exchange, reaffirming that interinstitutional support and the commitment of the MAPE Women’s Network of Madre de Dios to fulfilling their principles will transform the reality of the region’s mining sector.
