Operations in the Yanomami Territory have already destroyed 78 illegal miners' motors in 2024 alone

In the first 22 days of 2024, the Federal Government, through the Federal Police (FP) and Ibama, was responsible for destroying two aircraft, 78 engines, 5 motor pumps, and 2,500 liters of fuel used by illegal miners. The Feds also seized a firearm with ammunition and accessories, as well as ballistic vests and radio communicators. In all, the Federal Government’s actions throughout 2023 destroyed 39 aircraft, 550 engines, 88 rafts, 52 boats, 82 outboard motors, and 5,000 meters of hose.

Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, sent a government delegation to the Yanomami Indigenous Territory in Auaris (state of Roraima) on January 10. The group, led by the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, included the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, and the Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Silvio Almeida. The technical visit analyzed the current conditions in the region, which has been one of the hardest hit by illegal mining.

Ibama's operations resumed on January 11, 2024. In 2023, the agency issued 173 infraction notices, totaling BRL 60,355,150.00 in fines and 238 seizure notices with an estimated value of BRL 94 million.

This January 16, the Feds resumed Operation Liberation (Operação Libertação) - launched in 2023 to crack down on environmental crimes in the Yanomami Indigenous Territory. In these actions alone, more than BRL 589 million was blocked or seized.