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 received BRL 318.5 million from the fund, managed by the National Bank for Economic and Social Development (BNDES), to expand intelligence, enforcement, and anti-organized crime efforts in the region.

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By analyzing and recording the characteristics of Brazilian ore deposits, Ouro Alvo seeks to create scientific standards that can determine the origin of the ore. The technology will make it possible to compare samples of seized gold with existing records, providing evidence for investigations and enforcement operations. In addition to helping identify illegal mining, the initiative aims to deter new crimes related to illegal mining and the deforestation associated with this activity.

The funds finance the purchase of equipment for mineral and mercury analysis, as well as machinery, materials, and facilities for the preparation, characterization, and storage of samples. The program is structured around four pillars, involving not only the Federal Police but also the Federal Highway Police, the National Public Security Force, and the governments of the nine states in the Amazon.

“Combating illegal gold mining in the Amazon is a priority for President Lula’s administration,” said BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante. – Federal Police

“This laboratory represents a fundamental step forward in the fight against illegal gold mining. We are strengthening the Federal Police’s capacity to trace the origin of gold, produce scientific evidence, and combat environmental crimes, enabling Brazil to achieve historic results in reducing deforestation,” said Humberto Freire de Barros, director of the Federal Police’s Amazon and Environment Division.

“Combating illegal gold mining in the Amazon is a priority for President Lula’s administration. Identifying the ‘DNA of gold’ enhances the traceability of the mineral, hinders the activities of criminal organizations, and expands enforcement capabilities. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to protecting the environment, defending territories impacted by illegal activity, and building a sustainable and inclusive economy,” said BNDES President Aloizio Mercadante.

“This laboratory will be a milestone in the fight against illegal mining in the Amazon. We need to go beyond isolated operations and target the economic power that finances these criminal activities. Through science, technology, and the integration of public policies, we will be able to act more effectively, protecting not only the environment but also the health and lives of indigenous and riverine communities,” said Adalberto Maluf, secretary of the Ministry of the Environment.