Mercury is one of the top ten most toxic elements on our planet. In South America, there too, it has discovered a deadly new purpose in the illegal gold mining industry. The consequences of this toxic trade extend far beyond mere environmental degradation, impacting indigenous populations and ecosystems, particularly in the Yanomami territory of Roraima State, Brazil—a UNESCO-protected site that harbors a third of the country’s butterfly species. Daily illegal mining activities threaten the delicate balance of this biodiverse region, contaminating rivers relied upon by at least 17 downstream communities.
Illegal mining has increased dramatically over these past years, fueled by the inflation of gold prices. Authorities have estimated that at least 15,000 people had flooded into the Yanomami reservation just in February 2023. Criminal enterprises including Mexico’s Jalisco New Generation cartel are taking over illegal mining operations. They move mercury illegally into countries like Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru to power their operations. The illegal mercury trade is booming, with smugglers raking in huge profits. Researchers calculate that mercury extracted through these artisanal operations would have produced up to $8 billion (£6 billion) worth of illegal gold.
The environmental repercussions are dire. According to recent studies, three-quarters of the fish sampled within the Yanomami territory have dangerous levels of mercury. This represents a clear and substantial danger to human health. Plus, some soils in the surrounding region have measured mercury levels as much as 150 times over safe thresholds. Unfortunately, this insidious contamination will continue for a decade or more since mercury can hang out in water and soil for no less than ten years.
“It’s a UNESCO-protected site that is home to a third of the country’s butterfly species, yet mining is daily, largely unregulated, and contaminating rivers used by at least 17 downstream communities. Some soils have mercury levels up to 150 times the safe limit,” – Adam Dolezal
Instead, the global response to mercury contamination has been equally as slow if not slower. In 2013, over 100 countries united to sign the Minamata Convention. This treaty was meant to reduce the production, export and use of mercury. However, notwithstanding such international accords, illegal mining still runs rampant in important ecological areas such as the Yanomami territory.
Indigenous leader Dario Kopenawa Yanomami issued an urgent warning about the devastating effects of mercury pollution on his people.
“We don’t know the full effect, but we know there is no cure,” – Dario Kopenawa Yanomami
The environmental and public health emergencies caused by illegal gold mining put the state’s responsibility and the effectiveness of the state’s response into question. Human rights lawyer Antenor Vaz disagrees, insisting that the authorities are not simply indifferent in their response to these violations. Instead, they sit quietly while their employees do nothing to comply.
“The silence or absence of states in fighting these crimes does not mean neutrality,” – Antenor Vaz
Recent scientific evidence adds to the gravity of this issue. Additionally, authorities in Peru made a record seizure including at the port of Callao. They seized a five-tonne illegal shipment of mercury, the biggest ever intercepted in an Amazonian country. Together these smuggling incidents indicate the sheer size and scope of this smuggling operation. Smugglers send hundreds of tonnes of mercury out of large ports, passing it off as gravel.
“It is absurd that mercury is one of the 10 most toxic substances in the world – yet smugglers are shipping tonnes of it out of major ports without detection just by hiding it in gravel,” – Adam Dolezal
The Jalisco New Generation cartel’s control of mining activities further complicates an already bleak situation. Dolezal pointed out their deep domination in key mining sectors, echoing alarming fears not only of grave environmental destruction but endangerment of public health and safety.
As illegal mining continues to devastate ecosystems and threaten public health, the situation remains precarious for both nature and those who rely on it. Government intervention appears inadequate to curtail illegal behavior. These activities are terribly invasive, exploit natural resources, and jeopardize the livelihood of indigenous peoples, as well as biodiversity.