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Brazil Tackles Illegal Gold Mining Crisis in Yanomami Reservation
SURUCUCU, Brazil (Reuters) – Brazilian authorities have made substantial progress in addressing the illegal gold mining issue that once drew thousands of miners into the Yanomami reservation in the Amazon rainforest, resulting in severe health and nutritional challenges for the Indigenous population. Nilton Tubino, who oversees the government’s coordinated efforts to tackle this crisis, shared updates on the situation.
The Yanomami, recognized as the largest Indigenous group in South America living in relative isolation, are reportedly returning to their traditional lifestyles, engaging in agricultural practices and hunting. This transformation marks a significant shift from the tumultuous conditions brought on by the illegal mining activities.
Tubino leads an operational office established by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to streamline the collaboration of military forces, police, health workers, and environmental agents in the expansive territory of the Yanomami, which spans an area comparable to Portugal and is home to approximately 27,000 individuals.
“We are witnessing many of them returning to their daily routines, bathing in rivers and hunting again, with lands being cleared to grow food,” Tubino explained in an interview.
Since March, numerous operations have been executed involving army and navy units, in conjunction with environmental and Indigenous protection agencies. These operations have largely focused on dismantling illegal mining setups. Notable achievements include the destruction of 42 clandestine airstrips, the incineration of 18 aircraft, the forfeiture of 92,000 liters of diesel fuel, and the sinking of 45 dredging vessels. Additionally, authorities have dismantled infrastructure that allowed miners to communicate about enforcement activities.
The operations have also contributed to a decrease in malaria-related fatalities linked to the miners and have helped mitigate the malnutrition crisis through government-provided food supplies. Furthermore, the government has reopened medical facilities and has plans to construct a hospital in Surucucu, a remote village near the Venezuelan border.
However, despite these advancements, instances of illegal mining persist within the reservation. A recent visit by a Reuters photographer in Surucucu revealed remnants of mining activity, although the overall environment has improved compared to the previous year.
Junior Hekurari, who heads the Yanomami health council Condisi, noted that while the government has successfully expelled many miners and addressed immediate health concerns, the lingering effects of mining continue to impact the community’s food security. He highlighted ongoing challenges, such as mercury contamination affecting water bodies, which has led to diminished fish populations.
“The waters are poisoned, and our people believe the earth has been contaminated, which is hindering our crops from thriving,” Hekurari stated.
Following his inauguration, President Lula initiated a comprehensive enforcement operation aimed at removing approximately 25,000 gold miners from the Yanomami territory. With strong support from military forces, his administration succeeded in displacing about 80% of these miners. However, the return of miners has occurred following the withdrawal of military personnel, with some miners re-entering the area while others remained hidden in surrounding forests.
While the exact number of remaining miners is unclear, Tubino asserted that recent operations have significantly reduced their numbers and eliminated over half of the mining prospects in the region. He emphasized the necessity of further efforts to disrupt the supply chains that sustain the miners, including the provision of fuel, food, and services related to their gold-sourcing activities.
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