HUMAN WRONGS WATCH

Human Wrongs Watch

By LUIS SALAS RODRÍGUEZ for DEBATES INDÍGENAS*

IWGIA – International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs*, 1 November 2023 — While miners are blamed for the destruction of the forests, this gold fever would not exist without the lavish consumption of sheikhs, influencers, rappers, footballers, brokers, Hollywood actors and famous singers.

Following the rise in the price of gold during Covid-19, Central Banks and speculators have further boosted this demand.

In Brazil and Venezuela, the land area affected by mining is increasing rapidly and the presence of gold miners threatens the indigenous communities living near the deposits.

When we think of the illegal and legal gold mining that is bleeding the Amazon, the culprits are obvious.