Sam Cowie
In the heart of the Brazilian Amazon, Yanomami territory has become the stage for a surge in illegal mining activities, but this time it's not for gold, but rather cassiterite -- a mineral critical for green energy technologies. As the world’s hunger for renewable energy, so does the demand for this valuable resource, leading to a dark underbelly of exploitation and environmental devastation.
Wildcat miners, or garimpeiros, lured by the promise of earnings far exceeding the minimum wage, risk their lives to extract cassiterite. This mineral, used in solar panels and electronics, has become a much sought after, its value overshadowing the environmental damage and threats to the Indigenous Yanomami people it represents. The Brazilian government, in an attempt to curb the illegal trade in cassitirite, has seized large quantities of it and other conflict minerals. Yet, the shadow of corruption and the relentless demand continue to fuel illicit mining operations.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has pledged a crackdown on illegal cassiterite mining, but the challenge is daunting. The high profitability of these activities, coupled with corruption, makes enforcement a major challenge. Additionally, multinational companies have also entered the scene, raising questions about their role in a growing environmental and human rights crisis and the need for stricter regulations on cassiterite supply chains.
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This story was produced with support from the Earth Journalism Network. It was first published in the Guardian on August 2, 2024. It has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Banner image: The aftermath of an IBAMA raid on an illegal mining camp, or garimpo, on Yanomami territory in Roraima, Brazil / Credit: Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters.
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