Environmental damage caused by illegal mining and reflections linked to the humanitarian crisis of indigenous people

Abstract

Illegal mining is a growing activity in Brazil and has serious consequences for the indigenous communities that inhabit the affected regions. This scientific article aims to comprehensively address the environmental damage resulting from illegal mining and its implications for the humanitarian crisis faced by indigenous populations. The study explores several topics related to this issue, outlining the main negative effects of this clandestine activity. Initially, the environmental impacts resulting from illegal mining are discussed, analyzing deforestation and environmental degradation caused by unregulated exploration, which lead to significant losses of natural habitats and erosion problems. In addition, contamination of water resources is addressed, highlighting how the release of toxic substances negatively affects aquatic ecosystems and public health. It also emphasizes how illegal mining contributes to the loss of species and the reduction of genetic variety, extending the analysis to the effects on protected areas and indigenous lands, demonstrating how the invasion of these areas compromises not only the environment, but also the culture and livelihoods of local communities. The indigenous humanitarian crisis is explored in relation to illegal mining, highlighting its various facets, such as the impacts on communities, social and cultural disruption, territorial conflicts, violence and the influence of illegal mining on the health and safety of indigenous people, highlighting the threats to health resulting from environmental contamination and lack of access to basic resources. Finally, the importance of Brazilian legislation and public policies for the protection of indigenous communities is discussed, considering the challenges of application and the need for more effective measures.