The Indigenous Territorial Surveillance Group (GPTI) of the Serras region, in the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, denounced yet another instance of illegal mining advancing in the area. Points were identified in the following areas: Água Fria, Igarapé do Trovão, and Igarapé do Kai. The monitoring action took place between July 17th and 19th. In the report sent to the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) this Wednesday, the 19th, the group notes violations of the rights to life and biodiversity.
Given the worsening invasion of their territory, which is polluting the environment, especially the rivers, the group requested the immediate removal of the illegal miners. They warned of possible action by the indigenous communities themselves if there is no response from the authorities.
Illegal mining sites identified by indigenous leaders. Photo: Leaders' archive.
This is not the first time the group has denounced an invasion of the territory. The Raposa Serra do Sol indigenous land is one of the targets of illegal miners who left the Yanomami indigenous land, as pointed out by the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) in a survey conducted earlier this year, which highlighted the mass withdrawal of miners from Yanomami territory.
CIR sent an official letter to the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) and the National Foundation for Indigenous Peoples (Funai), reporting the situation and demanding measures to address the action. To date, there has been no response.
The organization will again forward the complaint to the competent authorities, requesting action and warning that illegal mining is spreading to other indigenous lands.