Illegal Gold Mining in the Brazilian Amazon: Environmental Degradation in Yanomami Indigenous Lands, and Regulatory Failures

Illegal gold mining in the Amazon poses a severe threat to indigenous communities and the environment. This study quantitatively investigates the link between gold exports, mining expansion, and resultant deforestation within the Yanomami Indigenous Territory from 2008 to 2022. Utilizing a quantitative, empirical approach with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression models. The findings reveal a direct and statistically significant correlation between economic drivers and environmental degradation. A 1% increase in the value of gold exports corresponds to an approximate 1.6% expansion of the mined area in Yanomami lands. This mining activity is a direct catalyst for deforestation, with a 1% increase in mining leading to a nearly 0.57% rise in deforested areas. Conversely, the study identified a protective effect of local economic conditions, where a 1% increase in local GDP per capita is associated with a 3.03% decrease in mining pressure. The research concludes that the international demand for gold, coupled with inadequate regulatory oversight in Brazil, directly fuels the humanitarian and environmental crisis in the Yanomami territory. Major importing nations, such as Canada, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, share a significant responsibility due to their role in the global gold supply chain and the acceptance of gold with illegal origins. The study underscores the urgent need for enhanced due diligence and robust traceability mechanisms to mitigate the devastating impacts of illegal mining on indigenous populations and vital ecosystems. Future research should explore the role of financial institutions in this illicit trade and incorporate qualitative perspectives from the affected communities.