Lawless mining has destroyed over 4,000 hectares in Brazil
Al Jazeera · Just In
Al Jazeera
Just In
A never-ending game of cat and mouse is being carried out deep in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. Illegal gold miners vanish into the jungle, only to return days later to set up new camps in a relentless cycle of destruction.
Breakdown
- Helicopters and environmental agents patrol the Amazon in Pará state to track illegal gold miners using real-time satellite alerts.
- Mining camps are hidden deep in the jungle, with miners scattering as authorities approach; operations cost up to $30,000 each. 26s
- One miner, Joel Sousa, describes being promised a share of the gold and reveals the use of advanced equipment, including Starlink antennas for internet. 1m 25s
- Authorities focus on destroying expensive machinery, such as excavators worth up to $190,000, rather than detaining miners due to logistical challenges. 2m 15s
- Despite ongoing operations, officials admit that miners often return, and without intervention, the area would face severe environmental damage. 2m 48s