Story perspectives

Illegal Amazon Mining Fuels $300 B Critical Minerals Rush

5/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Illegal prospectors are racing to extract rare earths and other critical minerals from the Amazon, creating a new criminal frontier.
Brazilian authorities have confirmed illegal mining of critical minerals in the Amazon rainforest.
The United States and other nations are turning to Brazil’s deposits to cut reliance on China, while the International Energy Agency values the global critical-minerals market at over $300 billion and expects it to double by 2035.

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Story summary

Illegal prospectors are racing to extract rare earths and other critical minerals from the Amazon, creating a new criminal frontier.
Brazilian authorities have confirmed illegal mining of critical minerals in the Amazon rainforest.
The United States and other nations are turning to Brazil’s deposits to cut reliance on China, while the International Energy Agency values the global critical-minerals market at over $300 billion and expects it to double by 2035.