EVALUACIÓN DEL IMPACTO AMBIENTAL DE LA MINERÍA AURÍFERA MEDIANTE EL ENFOQUE VIA UN CASO DE ESTUDIO EN LA SUBCUENCA DEL RÍO INAMBARI, PERÚ

Gold mining in the Inambari River sub-basin, located in Madre de Dios, Peru, is one of the main economic activities but also one of the most environmentally harmful. This study analyzes the environmental impacts caused by artisanal and small-scale mining, using an assessment methodology based on the Environmental Impact Value (VIA). A total of 858 impacts were identified, distributed across the physical, biological, and socioeconomic spheres, with water pollution and deforestation being the most significant. The most harmful extraction methods include dredges, shutes, and tracas, which accelerate ecological degradation. The impact ranking allowed the establishment of criteria for environmental management and mitigation in the region. The findings highlight the urgent need to implement environmental monitoring strategies, regulate mining activities, and promote sustainable alternatives to reduce ecological damage. This multidimensional analysis provides key information for decision-making in territorial planning and the conservation of the Amazon ecosystem.