Due to the contamination of rivers, lakes and streams by the illegal practice of mining that was installed on the Cotingo River, near the Samaúma stream, in a peaceful action leaders carried out yesterday, April 1st, the removal of miners and seized all material used in the illegal activity.
According to the Regional Coordinator, Aldenir Cadete, the removal of the miners is an action of the region and had the participation of leaders from the Baixo Cotingo region. He also said that in the past, "many indigenous people died because of mining, were shot, retreats destroyed, swiddens burned and several crimes were committed that went unpunished".
According to members of the Tamanduá community, "the river water is polluted by diesel oil, we no longer use it for our consumption or any community work."
During the action, the leaders found two (02) rafts and various equipment used for gold and diamond extraction, and four (04) non-indigenous miners were detained. But after dialogue with SODIUR leaders, they were released.
The leaders informed that the seized material will only be released to the competent authorities.
The coordinator informed that there are other areas of the T.I RSS are being used for the illegal practice of mining and has been denounced several times, but nothing has been resolved.
"The leaders of the region have already denounced this criminal activity to the competent bodies, but it still continues. That is why we in the indigenous communities will continue with the permanent surveillance of the territory," he said.
Cadete pointed out that the activity took place smoothly without conflicts between communities.
The Indigenous Land is located in the northeast of the state of Roraima, approved in 2005, the traditional territory of the Macuxi, Taurepang, Wapichana, Patamona and Ingaricó peoples.