The Bolsonaro government has allowed illegal mining near Yanomami territory.
The concessions were granted to people linked to illegal mining.
247 - The Bolsonaro government, through the National Mining Agency (ANM) in Roraima, has allowed mining exploration near Yanomami land. The concessions were granted to people linked to illegal mining.
According to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, there are more than 20 illegal miners operating in Roraima, where the territory designated as Yanomami Indigenous Land is located.
Last Saturday (21), the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) declared a state of emergency in the indigenous health of the territory, which has deteriorated largely due to the activity of illegal mining.
According to a report by FSPOne of the authorized areas is registered under the name of Bolsonaro supporter Rodrigo Cataratas, who has been the target of several Federal Police operations, and a group comprised of individuals linked to illegal mining in Pará. These areas are located approximately 30 km from the Yanomami Indigenous Territory.
Cataratas ran for federal deputy last year for the PL party, Bolsonaro's party, and received support from the "Garimpo É Legal" (Mining is Legal) movement, an organization that seeks to legalize mining in prohibited areas. He was not elected and is under investigation for suspected vote buying. He was denounced by the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office of Roraima as the head of illegal mining on Yanomami land. His son, Celso, was arrested but was granted the right to remain free while awaiting trial.
The report indicates that the group led by Cataratas owns businesses that received funding from the federal government, mainly for air transport related to indigenous health.
In October 2022, the Bolsonaro government authorized another mining license—the second in the state—covering just under 50 hectares and located just over 30 km from the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, in the city of Caracaraí, on the Branco River, which also passes through the capital Boa Vista.
The mining concession holder is Nikolas Godoy, who owns livestock companies in Mato Grosso do Sul, a mineral exporting company, and is a partner in Uniouro, a cooperative of miners located in Itaituba, Pará.
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