The new "El Dorado"

In the current world crisis situation, mineral-rich rainforest of Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia and Guyana see themselves threatened by a growing number of gold related mining camps. The situation has come to be so severe that each day murders are increasing on the zone, and prostitution and drug related incidents seem to be increasing near those areas. However, although it is a voilent and dangerous path, indigenous population as well as the exploiters of the camps are trying to get richer. And it seems of no surprise that people may risk their lives and an out break of internal violence in the countries may occur, when the ounce of gold could get to a 1480 euro price by the end of the year.

(Brazilian miners and the destruction they bring to forests)

Brazilians are suffering again this increase of corrupted business in the Yanomami area, an indigenous reserve that already suffered the mining exploitation and the violence it attached to the job during 1980s-1990s. It is estimated that today around 2000 illegal workers are in the area, but they could increase numbers even more. Money, greed, drugs and alcohol are now the main problems associated with the murders of mining workers, but the situation seems to be getting worse as time passes by. Other countries and groups such as FARC seem to be getting interested in this new market, as other illegal means have gotten cut down by the different governments. The rise of gold's price is getting lucrative for those who can exploit mineral resources, and it seems it will not change any time soon.

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After reading this article I instantly thought about the african problem with "blood diamonds" and how both cases have many things in common. The situation of exploitation and how some people get richer thanks to this is extreme and sickening to a point. Governments do not know what to do about it, and if they do know what to do, they are not interested as they are bribed by the ones in charge of the mining over the area. Many murders and fights inside the countries are also erupting as less mineral resources are found and poverty strikes in. Not only disputes and violence are the problem, the Amazon itself is getting damaged. Between 2003-2009 deforestation rose up to a six-fold in one of the largest gold mining rush.

It is clear that this problem should be adressed properly in order not to repeat the "death camps" in the Brazilian (and over all Latin America) during the 1980s period. However, it seems a rather complicated issue due to all the different interest states might have on it , such as, gold price and quantity, bribed politicians and the fear of citizens regarding the exposure of illegal mining campaigns.

Source: The Guardian newspaper online. (click to get to the article)