Illegal gold mining in Amazon Rainforest: the Peruvian capital of biodiversity at risk of an environmental catastrophe

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1 Illegal gold mining in Amazon Rainforest: the Peruvian capital of biodiversity at risk of an environmental catastrophe Rodrigo Vera Ramírez University of Göttingen

2 Amazon Rainforest 5,500,000 km 2 It is roughly 40 percent of the South American Countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela 20% of the total water carried to the oceans by rivers. At least 40,000 plant species, 2,200 fishes, 1,294 birds, 427 mammals, 428 amphibians, and 378 reptiles Main tributaries: Napo, Putumayo, Yaraví, Nanay, Yurúa, Purús, Madre de Dios.

3 Madre de Dios region Low-lying Amazon rainforest 6 Protected Natural Areas National Reserve Tambopata: plant species, at least 632 bird species, and 169 species of mammals, 103 reptiles and amphibians, 180 fish and 1,200 butterfly. Rivers provide the best way of getting from one town to another. Human activity is invariably confined to riverbanks.

4 Biodiversity in Madre de Dios Giant utter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Jaguar (Pantera onca) Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) Emperor tamarin (Saguinus imperator) Aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa) Timber species (Ceiba, Swietenia, Cedrella)

5 Effects: Deforestation 55 thousands of hectares of forests have been devastated due to this activity in 40 years Aug14-Jul15: 725 hectares in just one area (1 000 football fields) Main causes: In 2000 about 31 grams of gold cost $ 250, and in 2013, $ 1,300. The increasing demand for jewelry, especially in China and India.

6 Effects: Deforestation Mining in buffer zone of a national reserve Change of river channel Rudimentary machinery Bad working conditions

7 Gold mining and mercury 35% - 45% of world gold production is extracted by artisanal miners using mercury The mercury is amalgamated with the gold It has been used for more than 2000 years to extract gold from sediments Amalgamation is the preferred method of small-scale artisanal miners: Cheap, available and efficient Nearly 10 to 15 million miners in more than 50 countries use mercury directly affecting about 50 million people In Madre de Dios, almost all mercury in the environment comes from the activities of gold mining

8 Assimilation of mercury in the organism

9 Nervous, immune and cardiovascular system Symptoms include: Trembling in hands Problems with vision Ear problems Problems with speech Problems with balance Problems with the kidneys and liver Digestive problems Most symptoms are not detected immediately, but after years of prolonged exposure. Human effects

10 Negative impacts of gold mining Environmental Social Resource Soil Water Ecosystems Fauna Population Negative impacts Soil erosion Land-use conflicts Hidric pollution Change of river channel Solid waste contamination Alteration of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems Decreased aquatic and terrestrial diversity Alteration of vegetal cover Migration on species Extintion of terrestrial and aquatic species Illiteracy Povertry Over-exploitation in working hours Prostitution in mining areas

11 In2015, 40.8% of the gross value added of Madre de Dios was mining. One of the most dynamic and an important part of its economically active population is dedicated to the mining. Private investment amounted to US $ 5.8 million, higher than in 2014 (US $ 1.4 million). Economic situation

12 Government actions and consequences Control of gasoline and oil as supplies for mining Dismantling of mining camps Destruction of mining machinery

13 Government actions and consequences Regional strikes Violence Political empowerment of miners: Regional government + Congress

14 Alternative economic activities: Brazilian nut An adult tree yields 25 kg per season $40 per kilo 3 to 4 million kilos of Brazilian nut are harvested annually in Madre de Dios (aprox) ASCART matchs up 44 partners y 120 colectors + generates 50 jobs for processing Currently, he plant is capable of processing 210 tons of nuts a year

15 Alternative economic activities: Ecoturism Short distance from Cusco (capital of Inca empire) Proposal activities: Bird watching Coexistence with native comunities Hiking in the forest Environmental education

16 Recommendations From central government, regulate and monitor the mining activity Generate incentive policies to change the mining activities for other sustainable ones Propose economic-ecological zonification, by dividing the feasible areas for agriculture, forestry, tourism and even sustainable mining Develop markets for sustainable resources in Madre de Dios Implement more processing plants of Brazilian nut Strengthen the capacities of tourist operators in Madre de Dios to get international passengers Implement reforestation plans to recover depredated areas because of mining activity