Unlawful gold mining has destroyed over 4,000 hectares of Amazon rainforest in simply 4 Indigenous territories previously two years, warns Greenpeace. As Brazil’s high importer of gold, Canada should act. 

MONTREAL – Unlawful gold mining stays rampant within the Amazon rainforest regardless of authorities efforts to curb it, reveals new analyses of satellite tv for pc information from 2023 to 2024. The Greenpeace investigation additionally reveals Canada because the primary vacation spot for Brazilian gold exports in 2024. 

In keeping with the report by Greenpeace Brazil, nationwide motion to fight this damaging exercise just isn’t delivering a lower, however relatively a shift within the Indigenous territories affected: whereas mining actions decreased in Yanomami, Munduruku and Kayapó land (down 7%, 57% and 31%), Sararé land noticed a dramatic surge, with unlawful mining up by 93%. Previously two years, the report finds, 4,219 hectares of rainforest have been destroyed by gold miners in these 4 Indigenous territories – an space equal to virtually half the overall space of Manhattan, or greater than 4000 soccer pitches.

Jorge Eduardo Dantas, Indigenous Peoples’ Marketing campaign Lead from Greenpeace Brazil stated: “So long as this gold is being purchased by overseas international locations, this stays an actual menace to the Indigenous Peoples, the Amazon forest and the worldwide local weather. It’s driving  deforestation, killing rivers and poisoning individuals and biodiversity. We want a sustained and built-in strategy to battle unlawful gold mining – from Brazil’s aspect and from the international locations importing it.”

The report “Poisonous Gold” by Greenpeace Brazil traces the trail of unlawful gold from the Amazon to world markets. As detailed within the report, in 2024, the highest three locations for Brazilian gold exports had been Canada, Switzerland, and the UK – main worldwide hubs for refining and commerce. [1] 

World demand driving unlawful mining is unlikely to gradual. In 2024 alone, the worth of gold rose by 44%, and lots of central banks are declaring their intent to fill up on gold reserves.

In response to the report, Salomé Sané, Nature & Biodiversity campaigner at Greenpeace Canada stated:

“There isn’t a such factor as moral gold from the Amazon: Amazon gold is poisonous gold. Greed is destroying what we can not exchange, and because the high gold importer from Brazil, Canada has develop into an confederate to the continued destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Unlawful gold mining isn’t simply wrecking the native surroundings, it’s additionally dangerously impacting Indigenous Peoples and native communities, actively contributing to biodiversity loss and threatening our planet’s future. We want world leaders, together with our subsequent Prime Minister, to implement accountable moral provide chain practices, and forestall unlawful mining imports from one of many world’s most valuable ecosystems”.

Unlawful gold mining is a significant driver of biodiversity loss and social tensions in Brazil, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities and different susceptible teams. Scientists have discovered that mercury utilized in extraction contaminates the forest and waterways, endangering wildlife and human well being.

Lula’s predecessor, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro intentionally weakened environmental controls within the Amazon. This triggered an explosion in exploration between 2018 and 2022, with a staggering 265% improve in unlawful gold mining on indigenous lands. Since 2023, the present Brazilian authorities has intensified safety and monitoring efforts in key areas. However Greenpeace Brazil’s analysis reveals that unlawful mining continues to adapt and unfold throughout the forest – underscoring the pressing want for sustained, long-term methods. 

With the federal election marketing campaign totally underway, this report is a reminder to federal get together candidates that Canada has a duty to guard nature past its borders when its firms are concerned. 

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Courtroom  lately dominated to shut a authorized loophole that had allowed consumers to simply accept gold with out proving its origin, enabling unlawful mining—typically in Indigenous territories – to flourish unchecked. Gold consumers should now confirm the legality of their purchases, and the federal government is required to implement stricter oversight. The choice marks a vital step in combating unlawful mining. Nonetheless, Greenpeace Brazil stresses that additional motion is required to make sure lasting safety. In Canada, Greenpeace is urging the subsequent authorities to make sure Canadian firms will not be tied to unlawful gold mining provide chains.

ENDS

Photographs can be found within the Greenpeace Media Library. The complete report is offered right here. The chief abstract is offered right here. 

Notes: 

[1] Desk from Greenpeace Brazil’s “Poisonous Gold” report reveals the highest Brazilian gold export locations in 2024 

For extra data please contact:

Miryam Nadkarni, Press Officer, Forests marketing campaign, Greenpeace Germany, +49 160-3319793,  [email protected] (out there 9am-4.30pm CEST)

Greenpeace Worldwide Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (out there 24 hours), [email protected] 

Salomé Sané, Nature & Biodiversity campaigner, Greenpeace Canada

[email protected]  ; +1 778-961-0121

MONTREAL – Unlawful gold mining stays rampant within the Amazon rainforest regardless of authorities efforts to curb it, reveals new analyses of satellite tv for pc information from 2023 to 2024. The Greenpeace investigation additionally reveals Canada because the primary vacation spot for Brazilian gold exports in 2024. 

In keeping with the report by Greenpeace Brazil, nationwide motion to fight this damaging exercise just isn’t delivering a lower, however relatively a shift within the Indigenous territories affected: whereas mining actions decreased in Yanomami, Munduruku and Kayapó land (down 7%, 57% and 31%), Sararé land noticed a dramatic surge, with unlawful mining up by 93%. Previously two years, the report finds, 4,219 hectares of rainforest have been destroyed by gold miners in these 4 Indigenous territories – an space equal to virtually half the overall space of Manhattan, or greater than 4000 soccer pitches.

Jorge Eduardo Dantas, Indigenous Peoples’ Marketing campaign Lead from Greenpeace Brazil stated: “So long as this gold is being purchased by overseas international locations, this stays an actual menace to the Indigenous Peoples, the Amazon forest and the worldwide local weather. It’s driving  deforestation, killing rivers and poisoning individuals and biodiversity. We want a sustained and built-in strategy to battle unlawful gold mining – from Brazil’s aspect and from the international locations importing it.”

The report “Poisonous Gold” by Greenpeace Brazil traces the trail of unlawful gold from the Amazon to world markets. As detailed within the report, in 2024, the highest three locations for Brazilian gold exports had been Canada, Switzerland, and the UK – main worldwide hubs for refining and commerce. [1] 

World demand driving unlawful mining is unlikely to gradual. In 2024 alone, the worth of gold rose by 44%, and lots of central banks are declaring their intent to fill up on gold reserves.

In response to the report, Salomé Sané, Nature & Biodiversity campaigner at Greenpeace Canada stated:

“There isn’t a such factor as moral gold from the Amazon: Amazon gold is poisonous gold. Greed is destroying what we can not exchange, and because the high gold importer from Brazil, Canada has develop into an confederate to the continued destruction of the Amazon rainforest. Unlawful gold mining isn’t simply wrecking the native surroundings, it’s additionally dangerously impacting Indigenous Peoples and native communities, actively contributing to biodiversity loss and threatening our planet’s future. We want world leaders, together with our subsequent Prime Minister, to implement accountable moral provide chain practices, and forestall unlawful mining imports from one of many world’s most valuable ecosystems”.

Unlawful gold mining is a significant driver of biodiversity loss and social tensions in Brazil, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities and different susceptible teams. Scientists have discovered that mercury utilized in extraction contaminates the forest and waterways, endangering wildlife and human well being.

Lula’s predecessor, far-right President Jair Bolsonaro intentionally weakened environmental controls within the Amazon. This triggered an explosion in exploration between 2018 and 2022, with a staggering 265% improve in unlawful gold mining on indigenous lands. Since 2023, the present Brazilian authorities has intensified safety and monitoring efforts in key areas. However Greenpeace Brazil’s analysis reveals that unlawful mining continues to adapt and unfold throughout the forest – underscoring the pressing want for sustained, long-term methods. 

With the federal election marketing campaign totally underway, this report is a reminder to federal get together candidates that Canada has a duty to guard nature past its borders when its firms are concerned. 

The Brazilian Supreme Federal Courtroom  lately dominated to shut a authorized loophole that had allowed consumers to simply accept gold with out proving its origin, enabling unlawful mining—typically in Indigenous territories – to flourish unchecked. Gold consumers should now confirm the legality of their purchases, and the federal government is required to implement stricter oversight. The choice marks a vital step in combating unlawful mining. Nonetheless, Greenpeace Brazil stresses that additional motion is required to make sure lasting safety. In Canada, Greenpeace is urging the subsequent authorities to make sure Canadian firms will not be tied to unlawful gold mining provide chains.

ENDS

Photographs can be found within the Greenpeace Media Library. The complete report is offered right here. The chief abstract is offered right here. 

Notes: 

[1] Desk from Greenpeace Brazil’s “Poisonous Gold” report reveals the highest Brazilian gold export locations in 2024 

For extra data please contact:

Miryam Nadkarni, Press Officer, Forests marketing campaign, Greenpeace Germany, +49 160-3319793,  [email protected] (out there 9am-4.30pm CEST)

Greenpeace Worldwide Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (out there 24 hours), [email protected] 

Salomé Sané, Nature & Biodiversity campaigner, Greenpeace Canada

[email protected]  ; +1 778-961-0121