75% drop in illegal mining January to July improves water quality at Yanomami Indigenous Land

Brasília (DF), July 25, 2024 – Measures to counter illegal mining at the Yanomami Indigenous Land in Roraima continue apace. According to the Management and Operational Center of the Amazon Protection System (Centro Gestor e Operacional do Sistema de Proteção da Amazônia/CENSIPAM), an agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Defense, illegal mining at the Yanomani Indigenous Land dropped significantly from 2023 to 2024. Comparing the January-June periods of 2023 and 2024, illegal mining alerts recorded by CENSIPAM dropped from 219.67 hectares to 53.67 hectares, a 75% reduction. In 2022, there were 814.81 hectares of alerts.

Reduction in illegal mining activity has also contributed to better water quality in regional rivers. According to satellite imagery observations by CENSIPAM, water turbidity has improved, meaning that the water is becoming clearer and allowing more light to pass through. Previously, the water had a yellowish tint due to contamination from chemical residues linked to mining activities, but it is gradually returning to its natural color. Measurements were made in June of 2022, 2023 and 2024 at the Uraricoera River and the confluence of the Mucajaí and Couto Magalhães rivers, which are mining areas close to indigenous communities.

Over the four months of Task Force Catrimani II, Federal Government operations disabled 35 boats, 16 aircraft, 172 camps, 477 engines, 71,000 liters of fuel and 28 clandestine airstrips. They also seized 40 weapons, 26 antennas, 18,194 liters of fuel and 643 square meters of wood. The operation inspected 440 aircraft and provided 1,368 medical services. This effort is part of Operation Catrimani II, coordinated by the Ministry of Defense, in coordination with the Government House in Roraima, which oversees federal actions in the region. The operation employs 400 military personnel from the Brazilian Navy, Army and Air Force, as well as air, river and land resources.

In the most recent operation (July 20), Brazilian Armed Forces personnel, together with public safety and federal agencies, destroyed two camps and seized 1,200 kg of cassiterite, known as black gold – a mineral of great value in the extractions market. The operation also destroyed 10 engines, 1 conveyor belt, 1 chainsaw, 3 generators and 3 water pumps. So far, losses to criminal activities have been estimated at BRL 110 million, according to the Government House.

In another line of action, military personnel from the Brazilian Navy, in partnership with the Yanomami Special Indigenous Sanitary District (Distrito Sanitário Especial Indígena Yanomami/DSEI), provided medical care at the Indigenous territory. The action occurred on July 8 and 9 in the Caju community, with 94 health consultations and the distribution of 1,134 medication items. Essential healthcare services were also provided, including treatment for hypertension and diabetes, as well as preventive dental procedures, tooth extractions and cavity treatments. Hospital ships Soares de Meirelles and Carlos Chagas supported the humanitarian operations and will continue to serve the riverside and indigenous communities along the Catrimani River.

Operations - Approximately 27,000 indigenous persons live in the Yanomami Indigenous Land. The region spans an area larger than Portugal, with dense forests, no roads and few navigable rivers during the dry season, making access challenging. To evaluate the operation of the temporary support bases, located approximately 240 km from Boa Vista (RR), two military leaders surveyed the area by air on July 12: the Deputy Chief of Joint Operations (VChoc), Division General Marcelo Arantes Guedon and the Deputy Chief of Operations, Vice Admiral José Claudio Oliveira Macedo, from the Joint Armed Forces Staff (Emcfa), both from the Ministry of Defense. 

During the operation, officials encountered several logistical challenges: air transportation of personnel and materials, densely forested areas inaccessible by land, shallow river routes that prevent large vessels from navigating and unpredictable weather conditions.

Admiral José Cláudio noted that these factors highlight the crucial need for military expertise in jungle environments to ensure operational success. “It is essential that military personnel be skilled in navigation using military maps and compasses. The technical readiness of the Joint Operation Catrimani II troops is rigorously tested every day, whether navigating rocky rivers, landing on restricted airstrips under adverse conditions, or conducting land operations in the Amazon jungle,” emphasized Admiral Cláudio.

Operation Catrimani II –  Since March 26, the Brazilian Armed Forces have operated to counter illegal mining in the Yanomamy Indigenous territory, with joint operations aimed at disabling the infrastructure that supports illegal activities and providing logistical support for governmental emergency activities. Ordnance GM-MD No. 1511/2024 details the Operation, which is expected to continue until December 31 of this year.

By Helena L’acosta 

Images: Disclosure

Social Communications Office (Ascom)
Ministry of Defense (MD)
Phones: +55 61 3312-4071/4102