Lula Government begins operation to expel prospectors from the Kayapó Indigenous Land in Pará

The federal government, under the leadership of will start an operation next Friday (2) with the objective of removing prospectors from located no . This action, which is expected to extend for 90 days, is a response to a determination of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) that requires the withdrawal of invaders from the area. Mining is considered illegal in the region, which also faces problems such as land grabbing and clandestine wood extraction.

The illegal mining activity has already caused the destruction of approximately 274 hectares of native forest. The coordination of the operation will be the responsibility of the Civil House and the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, with the collaboration of at least 20 bodies, including the National Indian Foundation (Funai) and the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama). Scheduled actions include rigorous inspection, destruction of mining equipment and air monitoring in the area.

Nilton Tubino, advisor to the Civil House, reported that permanent bases of the National Force will be established to prevent the return of prospectors. He stressed that the operation will also focus on activities that support illegal mining, such as transportation and marketing of irregular fuels. This approach aims to dismantle the entire network that supports clandestine mining.

The mining in the Kayapó Indigenous Land has expanded, with the presence of four major operations that occupy about 18,000 hectares. Tubino emphasized that even indigenous machines will be destroyed if they are used for mining activities, as the practice is illegal, regardless of whoever performs it. This measure aims to ensure the integrity of environmental legislation and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Kayapó indigenous land is the second most affected by illegal mining in the Amazon. The government chose not to disclose information about the number of invaders or agents involved in the operation in order to protect sensitive data. In the territory, 6,365 indigenous people distributed in 67 villages, which have faced the impacts of mining since the 1980s.

This operation in Kayapó will be the eighth action of the Lula administration aimed at the protection of indigenous lands, which already includes interventions in other areas, such as Yanomami Indigenous Land, where the public health situation is alarming. Government mobilization reflects a commitment to environmental preservation and the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights in the face of the threats of illegal mining.

*Report produced with the aid of AI