Mining and its health and environmental impacts. The case of Potosí in Bogotá

ABSTRACT Under the global capitalist model this paper explores the link between mining and its environmental and health impacts, taking the case of mining of building materials in Bogotá. The study is descriptive qualitative and its information comes from literature review, observation and perceptions of inhabitants. From this search alterations were found in the physical and mental health of the population, its social net, and environmental damage, questioning the current development model and its patterns that put at risk the survival and goes together with the emergence of serious environmental conflicts that show the relationship of the environment with socio-cultural dynamics and health.