Happy Friday! Today, a mini gold rush in the Amazon causes illegal miners to gather in their droves. Congress keen on keeping their opaque pork-barreling schemes under wraps. Brazil could gain a 28th state.
Illegal river mining explodes in the Amazon
Over the past couple of weeks, hundreds of dredgers and barges for gold mining have invaded the Madeira River in Amazonas state, forming entire “floating villages.” The existence of illegal mining in the region is not new, but the current spread of the activity is. Unconfirmed news of abundant gold in the Madeira River went viral on WhatsApp Messenger, causing something of a mini gold rush.
- Environmental organizations have denounced a flagrant lack of action from state agents, which allowed the miners to settle unchecked. Authorities merely say they are “monitoring the situation.”
Why it matters. Besides the obvious environmental consequences (such as mercury contamination), illegal mining ventures frequently bring other crimes, such as modern slavery, drug trafficking, contraband, and child prostitution. Meanwhile, health problems are typically rampant in these impromptu communities.
Understanding the case. The barges remain side by side to assure that no one miner will have an “unfair advantage” over the others when the river is...