Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro also wants to allow gold mining in indigenous areas, which has hitherto been illegal. Greenpeace speaks of the legalization of a “predatory practice”.
Brasília – Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has issued a decree to boost gold mining in the Amazon.
A program created in this way is intended to promote the further development of mining methods, especially in the Amazon region, according to a publication in the government’s official gazette on Monday. A second decree aims to make it more difficult to punish gold prospectors. “In practice, the decrees aim to legalize a predatory practice that is progressing and destroying the environment,” commented environmental organization Greenpeace.
Gold diggers are encouraged
Gold mining is widespread in the Amazon region. Brazilian President Bolsonaro is a supporter of the economic use of the Amazon region and also wants to allow gold mining in indigenous areas, which has hitherto been illegal. Critics accuse him of creating a social climate in which gold diggers and other invaders feel encouraged.
The government decrees mention artisanal small-scale mining; in fact, financially strong entrepreneurs invest in the exploitation of indigenous areas with professional equipment. Illegal gold mining – called “garimpo” in Brazil – is often at the beginning of a chain, with loggers, ranchers and agricultural entrepreneurs following the prospectors. The “garimpeiros” cut deep aisles in the forest; the mercury used to dissolve the gold pollutes the water, fish die. dpa
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