The lawless mining gangs targeting the Amazon’s precious green energy minerals
undefined 6, 2024
In Brazil's Roraima state, illegal mining has surged, with cassiterite, a key tin ore, nicknamed "black gold." Essential for renewable energy tech, demand for cassiterite has risen sharply, driving up prices by 29% this year. This rush has led to environmental damage and threats to Indigenous lands, particularly the Yanomami. Seizures of cassiterite and other minerals like manganese and copper have been significant, though enforcement has waned under recent administrations. The rise in cassiterite mining underscores its critical role and growing market value.
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