Federal operations at Yanomami Land impose BRL 110 million loss to illegal mining

Over 950 intelligence, inspection and repression operations have taken place since the establishment of the Government House in Boa Vista (Roraima). Cost of illegal mining estimated to have risen by 40%

Published in Jul 12, 2024 08:45 PM Updated in Jul 12, 2024 08:49 PM

Illegal mining at the Yanomami Indigenous Land (Terra Indígena Yanomami/TIY) has been in strong decline since the establishment of the Government House in Boa Vista, the capital of the state of Roraima, February 2024. The House is a new structure that has concentrated the operational coordination of all Federal Government activities in the region. The concerted effort of 31 federal organizations in the region has led to the destruction of most of the illegal mining apparatus brought to the region by criminal organizations. The Federal Government’s mega-operation accounts for a loss of more than BRL 110 million (approximately USD 20.2 million) imposed on criminal organizations, including the disabling of aircraft, engines, generators and other equipment brought to the region for criminal purposes.

The results achieved thus far show the effectiveness of the coordination and planning implemented through the Government House. We are showing criminals that we will no longer tolerate this exploitation." — Nilton Tubino, Director of the Government House in Boa Vista

From the total losses imposed to criminal activities at the TIY, BRL 9 million (approximately USD 1.65 million) correspond to seizures of gold and other minerals; BRL 2 million (approximately USD 367,000) to vehicle seizures; and BRL 11 million (approximately USD 2 million) to fines. The destruction or disabling of equipment reached BRL 19 million (approximately USD 3.49 million) in aircraft; BRL 34 million (approximately USD 6.24 million) in landing strips; BRL 30 million (approximately USD 5.51 million) in machinery; and another BRL 5 million (approximately USD 918,000) in other seizures or destructions.

Federal intelligence work provided all estimates of illegal mining costs. Renting a boat to access the region can cost up to BRL 25,000 (approximately USD 4,590); a charter flight costs around BRL 15,000 (approximately USD 2,754); and aircraft pilots have been paid BRL 200,000 (approximately USD 36.720) per month. "Buying gold directly from illegal mining has become costlier, approximately BRL 370 [approximately USD 67.93] per gram," revealed Nilton Tubino, director of the Government House.

With the criminal infrastructure now dismantled, illegal mining costs are on the rise. During a Planalto Palace meeting last Monday (8), the Government House director informed the inter-ministerial staff that the cost of criminal activities inside the Indigenous land increased by 40%. “Illegal mining in the Yanomami Land will become uneconomic”, said Tubino.

TEAM - Over 560 federal officials have been deployed to this operation. They have performed 967 intelligence, inspection and repression operations between March and the beginning of July this year, and arrested 58 individuals.

Nilton Tubino said he believes that the Federal Government’s operation is moving to the next stage in the Yanomami Land. "The results achieved so far show the effectiveness of the Government House’s coordination and planning efforts. We are talking about Brazil’s largest Indigenous land, where the richness of the soil and the rivers attracted criminal activity that invested heavily in illegal mining. We are showing criminals that we will not tolerate any more exploitation,” he stated.