THE’illegal gold extraction continues to represent a devastating threat for theAmazondespite the efforts of the Brazilian authorities. A recent Greenpeace report shows that, between 2023 and 2024, mining did not decrease, but they simply have move in new areas.
If on the one hand drops in some indigenous territories such as Yanomami, Munduruku and Kayapó have been recorded, on the other the Sararé territory has seen a disturbing 93% increase in the mining activity. In total beyond 4,200 hectares of forest have been destroyed in two years: enormous environmental damage, comparable to Half Manhattan.
The trade of this “Toxic” gold It is not limited to the Brazilian borders. Greenpeace has traced its path to the international market, highlighting how, in 2024, the main buyers were Canada, Swiss And United Kingdom.
In particular the Swiss plays a crucial role, acting like global junction of refining and as a door to access toEuropean Union. The discrepancies between the official exports of Brazil and the imports recorded in Switzerland (beyond the 60% difference in recent years) bring out serious irregularities.
Italy also makes its large part
Also theItaly It appears among the importers, albeit with content volumes: in 2024 it imported about 110 kg of gold from Brazil, for a value of over 7 million dollars. However, there is currently no national system that guarantees the transparency of the supply chain of gold. The Italian gold reserves, the fourth in the world for quantity, of the metal.
The environmental impact is only part of the problem. Indigenous communities and local ecosystems suffer serious consequences: the mercury employed in extraction Contamine water, soil and animalsalso putting human health at risk. In addition, illegal gold feeds social tensions and territorial conflicts.
Although in recent years the Brazilian government has strengthened controls, the adaptability of illegal networks remains high. The Supreme Court recently imposed the obligation to verify the origin of goldbut a coordinated international action is needed to block illegal gold access to the markets.
The global question and the recent Increase in gold price (+44% in 2024) indicate that the pressure on the Amazon. We need transparency, regulation and a common political will to protect the largest rainforest on the planet.
