Nearly Half of Amazon Gold Mining Permits Show Mismatched Sales and Activity
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An investigation has found that 49% of licensed artisanal mining operations in Brazil's Tapajós River Basin reported gold sales that did not match their actual mining activity between 2022 and 2026. Satellite analysis shows most mining occurred outside permitted areas, including in protected zones, and involved industrial-scale methods. Mercury contamination from this activity continues to harm Indigenous and riverine communities.
Facts First
- 49% of licensed mining operations in the Tapajós Basin reported gold sales not matching their activity from 2022–2026.
- Most mining activity occurred outside permitted sites, including within protected areas and Indigenous territories.
- Mercury use persists in both legal and illegal mining, contaminating rivers and harming local communities.
- Permits for small-scale mining are being used for industrial operations involving heavy equipment and dredging.
- A new investigative platform (VEIO) cross-references mining, deforestation, and tax data to verify gold origin.
What Happened
An investigation by InfoAmazonia found that 263 of the 540 licensed artisanal mining operations in the Tapajós River Basin, representing 49%, reported gold sales between 2022 and 2026 that were not commensurate with their actual mining activity. Satellite imagery analysis revealed that most mining activity in the region occurred outside of permitted mining sites, including within protected areas and Indigenous territories. The investigation also found that permits originally designed for small-scale, low-impact gold mining are being used by larger, industrial-scale operations involving heavy equipment, dredging, and the illegal use of mercury.
Why this Matters to You
If you purchase gold jewelry or electronics, the gold in these products may be linked to environmental damage and human rights violations. The widespread mercury contamination from this mining directly harms the health of Indigenous and riverine communities who rely on the rivers for water and food. This situation could potentially affect global gold supply chains and undermine international efforts to source conflict-free and environmentally responsible minerals.
What's Next
The new VEIO (Verification and Investigation of Gold Origin) platform may help authorities and companies better track the origin of gold and identify discrepancies between reported sales and actual mining. Increased scrutiny from this tool could lead to more enforcement actions against operations misusing permits or mining illegally. However, the persistence of mercury use and industrial-scale activity in sensitive areas suggests regulatory challenges are likely to continue.