Gold rush fuels Amazon deforestation and mercury poisoning in Brazil’s protected areas

NewsWorldAmericasGold rush fuels Amazon deforestation and mercury poisoning in Brazil’s protected areasGold prices have surged in recent years, sparking a mining rush in the Amazon that accelerates deforestation and mercury contaminationGabriela S. Pessoa Tuesday 05 May 2026 16:29 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"CF1:2970758To1","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/amazon-rainforest-destroyed-gold-mines-b2970816.html","title":"Gold rush fuels Amazon deforestation in Brazil’s protected areas"}}CloseRare video of uncontacted tribe in Amazon rainforest threatened by loggersThe latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekdayYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USYour briefing on the latest headlines from across the USEmail*SIGN UPI would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice{"className":"sc-1ge0fwe-0","newsletterData":{"regSourceNewsletter":"IND_Evening_Newsletter","regTitle":"Evening Headlines","subscriptionGroup":"us_evening_headlines","subscriptionGroupId":"4326e634-422a-4447-8e1e-604a937cd3b5","type":"daily_news","pathPrefix":["/us","/news/world/americas","/news/world/americas/crime"],"title":"The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday","mobileTitle":"Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US","imageSrc":"https://static.independent.co.uk/static-assets/images/newsletters/usEveningHeadlines1_1.png","label":"I would like to receive morning headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts by email","newsletterKey":"receiveEveningHeadlinesUSNews","regSourceSection":"Americas","regSourceMethod":"NSCs"},"isClim...