Amazon's Gold Rush Fuels Deforestation, Mercury Contamination

The Amazon rainforest has become a hotspot for gold mining, driven by record prices and strong global demand. The lucrative industry is fueling deforestation, mercury contamination, and other environmental destruction in protected areas and Indigenous territories.

According to satellite monitoring, over 37,000 hectares of new mining expansion were detected across the Amazon in 2025, with more than 14,000 hectares located within protected areas and Indigenous territories. This activity is largely considered illegal, as mining is restricted in these areas.

The global gold market has seen a significant surge in demand, driven by central banks' purchases of an average of around 1,000 metric tons annually over the past four years. The World Gold Council survey found that 89% of participating reserve managers expected official gold holdings to rise over the following year.

Gold prices have risen sharply, averaging $3,431 an ounce in 2025, a 44% increase from the previous year. This has increased the incentives for illegal mining, as deposits that were once too remote or costly to exploit become more attractive.