Explosion of illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous territory poisons fishes; Government ignores 21 requests for help

A study by researchers from Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Instituto Socioambiental (ISA), Evandro Chagas Institute and Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR), showed that fish from three out of four points in the Rio Branco Basin have higher levels of mercury than the limit designated as safe by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

According to the researchers, the closer to the Yanomami Indigenous Land (TI), the greater the risks. “The high rates of contamination observed are probably due to the numerous illegal gold mines installed in the channels of the Mucajaí and Uraricoera rivers”, says the study.

A survey published in The Intercept Brasil shows that the Bolsonaro government ignored 21 requests for help from the Yanomami Hutukara Association. The documents denounced the arrival of miners, criminals and the spread of diseases and hunger in the region.

Mining in Yanomami territory soared during the Bolsonaro government. A report by the Yanomami Hutukara Association shows that illegal mining has tripled in the last three years.