The lust for gold in the Amazon
In a five-day illegal gold mine raid, Brazil's environmental agency trekked in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, flushing out up to 5,000 illegal miners on Yanomami indigenous land. The massive territory is home to 27,000 indigenous people who are threatened by the toxin, mercury, found in rivers and used to separate gold from grit.
An illegal gold dredge is seen burning down at the banks of Uraricoera River during Brazil’s environmental agency raid in the Amazon.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
An illegal gold mine is seen during Brazil’s environmental agency operation against illegal gold mining on indigenous land, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, in Brazil.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
An agent of Brazil’s environmental agency takes cover as an illegal gold dredge burns down at the banks of Uraricoera River during an operation against illegal gold mining.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
An agent of Brazil’s environmental agency inspects a miners camp on the banks of Uraricoera River.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
Gold prospectors are detained by agents of Brazil’s environmental agency during an operation against illegal gold mining on indigenous land on the Uraricoera River.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
An illegal gold mine burns during Brazil’s environmental agency operation.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
Yanomami indians follow agents of Brazil’s environmental agency in an illegal gold mine.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
A gold prospector is detained by agents of Brazil’s environmental agency on the Uraricoera River during an operation against illegal gold mining.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
A village of indigenous Yanomami is seen during an operation against illegal gold mining on indigenous land.Bruno Kelly/Reuters
A map placed in the cockpit of a helicopter shows the area of the Yanomami indians during an operation against illegal gold mining on indigenous land, in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, in Roraima state, Brazil.Bruno Kelly/Reuters