Criminal networks linked to illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon

The document details how illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon is sustained by a complex network of corrupt politicians, logistics providers, and international smuggling routes for mercury and aviation fuel. It highlights a systemic failure of Brazilian regulatory agencies to coordinate efforts, leading to significant gold exports lacking proper documentation. The report also establishes strong links between illegal mining and other serious crimes, including drug trafficking by organizations like the First Capital Command (PCC), forced labor, and sexual exploitation. Geographically, the illicit activity extends across borders into Guyana, French Guiana, and Venezuela, with specific hotspots identified in Roraima, Rondônia, Pará, and Amapá states.

• Illegal gold exports from Brazil are substantial; in 2020, 19.123 tonnes of gold were exported without origin documentation or mining permits. Discrepancies were most severe in Amazonian states, and 100% of gold exports from São Paulo in 2020 were contaminated with illegal gold.
• Illegal mining operations are supported by a network of local politicians who exchange political favors for campaign contributions from mining and gold trading firms. Logistics providers, including mercury suppliers and aviation fuel distributors, along with corrupt military, police, and civil servants, facilitate these operations.
• There is a systemic failure in coordination among Brazil's regulatory and law enforcement agencies—including ANM, FUNAI, IBAMA, ICMBio, and the Federal and Military Police—resulting in mining approvals that overlap with areas under violation notices or embargoes within Protected Areas and Indigenous Territories.
• Illegal gold mining is closely linked to other serious crimes. Drug trafficking organizations, specifically the First Capital Command (PCC), provide security and logistics for miners and use these networks to launder gold. Additionally, a survey indicated that 40% of mine workers were likely victims of forced labor.
• All mercury used in Brazilian gold mining is currently obtained illegally through two primary smuggling routes: one from Mexico via Chile and Bolivia entering Brazil at Guajará-Mirim or Cáceres, and another via Guyana entering at Bonfim.
• Illegal mining activity has expanded beyond Brazil's borders. Approximately 10,000 Brazilians work in Guyana's garimpos, and Brazilian miners drive illegal extraction in French Guiana. Following crackdowns in the Yanomami territory, logistics providers shifted operations to Venezuela, specifically the Alto Orinoco-Casiquiari Biosphere Reserve.
• Enforcement efforts under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have seen a significant increase in gold seizures, with nearly 30 tonnes seized in 2022–23 and over 20 tonnes in 2023–24, compared to previously negligible volumes.

APA

Angelo, M., Hehmeyer, A., Oliveira, M., & Charity, S. (2025). Criminal networks linked to illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon. WWF International. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/408/6s1zxtyx1_Criminal_networks_linked_to_illegal_gold_mining_in_the_Brazilian_Amazon.pdf

Chicago

Angelo, Maurício, Abby Hehmeyer, Marcelo Oliveira, and Sandra Charity. Criminal networks linked to illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon. WWF International, 2025. https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/408/6s1zxtyx1_Criminal_networks_linked_to_illegal_gold_mining_in_the_Brazilian_Amazon.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Angelo |first1=Maurício |last2=Hehmeyer |first2=Abby |last3=Oliveira |first3=Marcelo |last4=Charity |first4=Sandra |title=Criminal networks linked to illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon |publisher=WWF International |date=July 2025 |url=https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/408/6s1zxtyx1_Criminal_networks_linked_to_illegal_gold_mining_in_the_Brazilian_Amazon.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{angelo2025criminal, author = {Angelo, Maurício and Hehmeyer, Abby and Oliveira, Marcelo and Charity, Sandra}, title = {{Criminal networks linked to illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon}}, institution = {WWF International}, year = {2025}, month = jul, url = {https://www.worldwildlife.org/documents/408/6s1zxtyx1_Criminal_networks_linked_to_illegal_gold_mining_in_the_Brazilian_Amazon.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }