They warn of an environmental crisis due to illegal mining in Venezuela

Illegal mining for gold extraction in Venezuela “has generated an environmental crisis and human rights” in the Amazonian states of Bolívar, Amazonas and Delta Amacuro, the NGO Fundaredes denounced this Friday.

Through X, the organization said that illegal mining activities have “destroyed forests, contaminated rivers with mercury and affected indigenous communities, who suffer displacement, labor exploitation and violence.”

Furthermore, he pointed out, “The presence of armed groups and mafias aggravates the violation of basic rights” of the inhabitants of these areas, among which is the “right to a healthy and safe environment,” he said.

The Fundaredes Environmental Observatory, EPA Project, last September it was recorded that nearly 20,000 “illegal miners” operate in the Orinoco Mining Arc –located between Delta Amacuro, Bolívar and Amazonas – which, he stated, cause a “serious deterioration in the quality of life of local communities.”

According to the environmental NGO Provita, the Venezuelan Amazon is home to great biodiversity and is rich in natural, cultural and mineral resources, where there are also around 2.3 million people, including the largest indigenous population in Venezuela.

The government assured that, this year, more than 12,000 people dedicated to illegal mining were evicted from several mines in the Amazon regions, which were closed and inoperative, including the ‘Bulla loca’, in the state of Bolívar, which suffered a collapsed last February, leaving at least 16 dead and 36 injured.

In June, Nicolás Maduro insisted that Venezuela has to order mining through a productive, ecological and preserving conceptafter recognizing the existence of the mafia in this sector and the “destructive” practice.

It is unknown if the work for mining planning has already begun or if there is any defined plan for this purpose.