Brazilian authorities ramped up efforts to expel illegal gold miners from the Indigenous Munduruku lands in the Amazon, an area that has long faced threats due to illegal mining and environmental exploitation.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged to combat illegal mining on Indigenous lands, reversing a surge that occurred under former President Jair Bolsonaro. Illegal gold miners have contaminated rivers and caused public health crises on Indigenous reservations, which the federal government oversees.
In the upcoming operation, federal agencies, including the Defense Ministry and Indigenous affairs agency Funai, will lead the effort. Nilton Tubino, who has coordinated similar operations in the Yanomami territory in northern Brazil, confirmed the plan to Reuters.
Illegal gold mining has surged in recent years, often causing significant deforestation, mercury pollution, and violence in these remote regions. The Munduruku people, who have historically resisted mining activities to protect their land and livelihood, have increasingly called for government action to stop the destruction and contamination of their natural resources.
Brazil’s environmental protection agency, IBAMA, is working in collaboration with military and police forces to evict miners and dismantle mining infrastructure within Munduruku territory. This move aligns with broader goals of restoring environmental protections and Indigenous land rights in the Amazon. The government’s crackdown is part of a broader initiative to curb illegal mining, logging, and land seizures in the region.
In recent years, Brazilian authorities have intensified efforts to eradicate illegal mining from indigenous territories. The government’s actions have been driven by both environmental concerns and the need to protect indigenous communities from the adverse effects of illegal mining.
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Brazilian authorities launched large campaign in 2023
The Yanomami indigenous land, spanning an area roughly the size of Portugal, has been a focal point for these operations. Since February 2023, Brazilian authorities launched a significant campaign aimed at completely removing illegal gold miners. Over 85 per cent of these miners were reported to have been evicted by March 2023, with operations involving the destruction of equipment like airstrips, aircraft, and barges, alongside the seizure of substantial amounts of diesel fuel.
Additionally, this crackdown was part of a broader initiative to address the humanitarian crisis among the Yanomami, who have suffered from diseases, malnutrition, and environmental degradation caused by mining activities.
The government is now preparing to extend these operations to other Indigenous territories, including Munduruku land, where illegal mining has also been widespread. Reports identify Munduruku as having the second-highest level of illegal mining in Brazil. The government’s approach involves direct action against the miners as well as broader policy measures to prevent a resurgence of these activities.
Furthermore, the actions have received mixed reactions.
Environmental groups and Indigenous rights organizations largely support the government’s efforts, viewing them as essential to protect both the environment and Indigenous rights. However, some argue for the need to provide alternative livelihoods for the miners, many of whom come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Internationally, these efforts have drawn interest, particularly from organizations like the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which has investigated related incidents, including murders connected to environmental conflicts.
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joseph@mugglehead.com
