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Peru's Gold Mining Devastates Amazon Peatlands, Fuels Carbon Emissions

3/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon has wreaked havoc on peatlands, with destruction in the past two years surpassing the previous three decades. Over 550 hectares have been lost, unleashing a staggering 0.7 million tons of carbon. If this trend continues, peatland mining could account for 25% of total mining by 2027, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions.

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Story summary

Gold mining in the Peruvian Amazon has wreaked havoc on peatlands, with destruction in the past two years surpassing the previous three decades. Over 550 hectares have been lost, unleashing a staggering 0.7 million tons of carbon. If this trend continues, peatland mining could account for 25% of total mining by 2027, exacerbating greenhouse gas emissions.