Análisis sobre la percepción de la ciudadanía cuencana, respecto a la prohibición de actividades mineras en zonas de recarga hídrica del cantón Cuenca

Abstract

This research aims to know the perception of Cuenca Citizens, regarding the mining prohibition in water recharge zones of the Cuenca canton, considering different approaches that revolve around mining, some of them are: environmental, social and economic. Currently, mining is addressed as a process that generates controversy because there is acceptance or rejection of the citizenship regarding these activities, especially if it is carried out in the water recharge zones of the Cuenca canton. The study was carried out using a mixed sequential explanatory approach, where quantitative and qualitative techniques are used for the collection of information. The data analysis was carried out in two phases, the first corresponding to the analysis of quantitative data obtained from 665 surveys, and the second phase corresponds to the analysis of the qualitative information obtained from the application of 24 semistructured interviews and the observation technique. Among the main results of the research, it was found that there is a very evident environmental perception in Cuenca's citizenship, which promotes the fight against the impacts of mining, the conservation of water resources and environmental protection. In addition, the role of women as protagonists in the resistance against mining processes is rescued.