New lab helps fight illegal gold mining in the Amazon
With the aim of strengthening efforts to combat illegal gold mining and environmental crimes in the Amazon, Brazil’s Federal Police on Tuesday (Nov. 3) inaugurated the Forensic Geochemistry Laboratory for Mineral Traceability. The facility was set up at the National Institute of Forensic Science (INC) in Brasília and is part of the Ouro Alvo program, supported by the Amazon Fund. The program has…
On November 3, Brazil's Federal Police inaugurated the Forensic Geochemistry Laboratory for Mineral Traceability at the National Institute of Forensic Science in Brasília. This new facility is part of the Ouro Alvo program, which received BRL 318.5 million from the Amazon Fund, managed by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development, to bolster intelligence, enforcement, and anti-organized crime efforts in the Amazon.
The program aims to analyze and record the characteristics of Brazilian ore deposits, creating scientific standards to determine the origin of the ore. By comparing samples of seized gold with existing records, the technology can provide evidence for investigations and enforcement operations. The funds allocated for the program will cover the purchase of equipment for mineral and mercury analysis, as well as machinery, materials, and facilities for sample preparation, characterization, and storage.
The initiative involves four pillars, including the Federal Police, Federal Highway Police, National Public Security Force, and the governments of the nine Amazon states. BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante emphasized that combating illegal gold mining in the Amazon is a priority for President Lula's administration, stating that the laboratory represents a significant step forward in the fight against illegal mining and environmental crimes.
Humberto Freire de Barros, director of the Federal Police's Amazon and Environment Division, highlighted the laboratory's role in strengthening the Federal Police's capacity to trace the origin of gold and produce scientific evidence, ultimately contributing to historic reductions in deforestation. BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante added that identifying the 'DNA of gold' enhances the traceability of the mineral, hinders criminal organizations' activities, and expands enforcement capabilities, reaffirming the commitment to environmental protection, territorial defense, and a sustainable and inclusive economy.
Adalberto Maluf, secretary of the Ministry of the Environment, emphasized the milestone nature of the laboratory, stressing the need to go beyond isolated operations and target the economic power that finances criminal activities. Through science, technology, and the integration of public policies, the laboratory will enable more effective protection of the environment, the health and lives of indigenous and riverine communities, and the communities impacted by illegal activity.
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