Illegal Amazon gold mining worth billions continues despite Brazil crackdown
Synopsis
A Greenpeace investigation found illegal miners are still extracting billions of dollars worth of gold from the Amazon by using permits from inactive mining sites to disguise the origin of illegally mined metal.
Illegal Amazon gold mining remains widespread despite efforts by Brazil’s government to curb the activity, according to a new Greenpeace study. The report found that miners are using permits from inactive sites to conceal the origin of gold extracted from protected rainforest areas and Indigenous territories.
Key highlights
- Greenpeace found 26.8 metric tons of gold linked to inactive mining permits
- The gold was valued at an estimated $3.88 billion
- Nearly half of the analysed mining permit areas showed no mining activity
- Illegal mining continues despite Brazil’s enforcement efforts
- Indigenous leaders say mining is damaging land and polluting rivers
What happened?
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva pledged after taking office in 2023 to eliminate illegal gold mining on Indigenous lands and protected areas.
Authorities have increased enforcement, with Brazil’s Federal Police seizing a record 447 kilograms of illegally mined gold last year.
However, Greenpeace said rising gold prices have encouraged illegal operators to adopt new methods.
The organisation analysed 187 forest areas holding gold mining permits near protected regions of the Amazon and found that 98 showed no evidence of mining activity.
According to the report, permits linked to these inactive locations were used to support the sale of 26.8 metric tons of gold between 2018 and March 2026, with an estimated value of $3.88 billion.
Why this matters
The findings suggest illegal mining networks continue to operate despite stronger enforcement measures.
Environmental groups argue that inactive or “ghost” permits allow illegally mined gold to enter legal supply chains, making it difficult for authorities to trace its true origin.
The issue has become more significant as global gold prices reach record highs amid geopolitical uncertainty, increasing incentives for illegal extraction.
Official statements
Greenpeace Brasil spokesperson Danicley Aguiar said the problem will persist unless authorities address permit-related loopholes.
“As long as it is possible to launder gold using mining permits, there will be an expansion of the activity in the Amazon.”
The Brazilian mining agency ANM said it is monitoring the permits highlighted in the Greenpeace report and investigating potential irregularities.
The agency added that overseeing mining activity across the vast Amazon region remains a major logistical challenge.
Kayapo Indigenous leader Megaron Txucarramae criticised ongoing illegal mining activity and its environmental impact.
“I don't know what else is needed to solve illegal mining on Indigenous land. It destroys the land, pollutes the rivers, and Indigenous people, without realising it, end up eating poisoned fish.”
Background & Context
Greenpeace researchers examined mining permits located near Indigenous territories and protected areas across the Amazon.
The organisation found that more than half of the inactive permit areas appeared to have been used to justify gold sales despite showing no signs of extraction activity.
Reuters also observed two locations included in the study and found no visible mining operations despite records indicating major gold production.
Nearby, journalists identified a large active mining operation within a protected area.
Researchers and investigators believe a substantial portion of the gold linked to inactive permits may originate from protected regions, including the Kayapo Indigenous territory in Brazil’s Para state.
What happens next?
Brazilian authorities are expected to continue investigating permits identified in the Greenpeace report and monitor potential irregularities in gold production records.
Environmental groups are likely to increase pressure on the government to tighten traceability requirements and prevent illegally mined gold from entering legal markets.
With gold prices remaining elevated, enforcement agencies face growing challenges in stopping illegal mining activity across the Amazon.
FAQs
Q1: What is illegal Amazon gold mining?
Illegal Amazon gold mining refers to gold extraction carried out without proper authorisation or within protected rainforest areas and Indigenous territories.
Q2: What are ghost permits?
Ghost permits are mining licenses issued for locations where little or no mining activity occurs but are allegedly used to validate the sale of illegally mined gold from other areas.
Q3: How much gold was linked to inactive permits?
Greenpeace said 26.8 metric tons of gold worth approximately $3.88 billion were linked to permits from areas showing no signs of mining activity.
Q4: Why is illegal mining a concern?
Illegal mining contributes to deforestation, river pollution, biodiversity loss and environmental damage, while also affecting Indigenous communities that depend on these ecosystems.
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