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500 Illegal Gold Dredges Destroyed, Mercury Hits Amazon Fish

5/6/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Prosecutor André Luiz Porreca said authorities destroyed over 500 illegal gold dredges on Yanomami territory, though miners returned.
Dredges cost 15 million reais each, funded by Red Command and First Capital Command.
Mercury was found in 21.3% of Amazon fish, exposing children 2-4 to levels up to 31 times WHO limits, with satellite data indicating illegal mining cleared 496,000 hectares in 2018, including Terra do Meio and Altamira forests.

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Story summary

Prosecutor André Luiz Porreca said authorities destroyed over 500 illegal gold dredges on Yanomami territory, though miners returned.
Dredges cost 15 million reais each, funded by Red Command and First Capital Command.
Mercury was found in 21.3% of Amazon fish, exposing children 2-4 to levels up to 31 times WHO limits, with satellite data indicating illegal mining cleared 496,000 hectares in 2018, including Terra do Meio and Altamira forests.