Introduction: There is evidence of the relationship between coal mining and health effects, both in working population and non working population. Studies have indicated higher prevalence of cardiovascular and respiratory disease in mining areas of greatest exposure, both in coal open-pit mining and underground mining. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between exposure to underground coal mining and respiratory effects in Boyaca, Colombia. Methodology: prevalence study. Incidence rates and incidence rate ratios of acute respiratory infection (ARI) in children under 5 years were compared between two territories exposed to underground coal mining and a territory not exposed to mining (control), for the period 2009-2012. Data data was obtained from secondary sources of health and economic activities of the country. Results: The ARI incidence rate ranged from 2.6% to 11.4% in the mining zone 1, in the mining zone 2 between 9.5% and 13.6%, in the control area the incidence rate was between 0.9% and 2.0%. Comparing with the incidence of the control region, the incidence rate ratio for the mining zone 1 was 4.4, and for the mining zone 2 was 7.0. Conclusions: The higher ARI incidence rates in mining areas compared to the non-mining area may be related to this economic activity. The higher rate ratio in the mining zone 1 with respect to the mining zone 2 may reflect the influence of other variables in the incidence of ARI.