Marmato's Gold Mining History

Marmato, Colombia has a rich history of gold mining that spans over 400 years, primarily driven by informal, local operations rather than large corporations. The current mining practices involve small-scale, artisanal miners who remove gold by hand, using simple tools and relying on donkeys for transport. This longstanding tradition poses certain challenges, particularly during earlier decades when violence and conflict from various unsavory factions made the area hazardous. Today, while Marmato retains its mining roots, it has also seen some development with new establishments that have improved the local environment and commercial landscape.