Brazil cracks down on illegal gold mining

Harley Sandoval, an evangelical pastor and entrepreneur, was arrested in July 2023 for illegally exporting 294 kilos of gold from Brazil to international markets. Although Sandoval claimed the gold came from a licensed mining prospect in Tocantins, investigations using advanced forensic technologies and satellite imagery revealed that the gold actually came from illegal mines in Pará, some of which were on protected Indigenous lands. The case highlights a growing issue of illegal gold mining in Brazil, which has surged in recent years, causing environmental destruction and violence in the Amazon.

To tackle this problem, Brazil’s Federal Police have implemented a pioneering program called ‘Targeting Gold,’ which uses radio-isotope scans and spectroscopy to trace the origins of gold. This technology, which analyses the unique chemical composition of gold, has allowed authorities to track illegal gold more effectively, helping increase seizures of illicit gold by 38% in 2023. Experts estimate that about 40% of the gold mined in the Amazon is illegal, and Brazil is taking steps to address the trade by tightening regulations and monitoring transactions.

The rise in illegal mining, fueled by high global gold prices and weak environmental controls under former President Jair Bolsonaro, has led to significant environmental damage, including mercury contamination and deforestation. Thousands of wildcat miners now use industrial machinery, contributing to this crisis. Illegal mining also threatens Indigenous communities, such as the Yanomami, who have faced violence and health crises due to encroachments on their land. Brazil’s current administration, led by President Lula, is focusing on cracking down on criminal organisations that support this illegal industry.

While Brazil works to curb illegal gold mining, the issue has drawn international attention. Switzerland, a major importer of Brazilian gold, and neighbouring countries like Colombia and French Guiana are considering adopting similar traceability methods. Although the Brazilian government faces resistance from political lobbies advocating for the legalisation of wildcat mining, the ongoing use of advanced forensic tools aims to make a lasting impact on reducing the illegal gold trade in the region.