Brazil army arrests illegal miners in Amazon

The Brazilian army arrested ten people involved in the exploration of illegal mining sites in three areas in the Campos Amazônicos conservation unit, in southern Amazonas state. The crackdown was part of Operation Verde Brasil (“Brazil green”).

Vehicles and machinery were reported to have been seized,  including a tractor, a wheel loader, a motorbike, two energy generators, a Scania truck, and 10 thousand liters of diesel fuel.

Also confiscated were a rifle with seven cartridges, nine cellphones, a metal detector, two chainsaws, an amateur radio, a scale, and ten camping tents.

Large-scale mobilization

Operation Verde Brasil has engaged 7 thousand men and women to combat deforestation and wrongdoing in the Amazon, including illegal mining.

The crackdown, launched less than a month ago, is said to have fought over 500 fires, seized some 18 thousand cubic meters of wood, and issued 107 infraction reports, adding up to 5 million in fines.

Operation Verde Brasil is implemented by the Brazilian Armed Forces in partnership with public security agencies and watchdogs like the National Force, military firefighters, anti-fire teams of the Brazilian Environmental Institution, the Military Environmental Police, and the Management and Operations Center of the Amazon Protection System.