The Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), an indigenous organization representing 261 indigenous communities of the Macuxi, Wapichana, Taurepang, Ingariko, Patamona, Wai Wai, Sapará, Yanomami peoplesMANIFESTAconcern about the high contamination of fish in the main rivers of Roraima by mercury, as disclosed by the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ), Socioenvironmental Institute (ISA), Environment Section, Evandro Chagas Institute and Federal University of Roraima (UFRR), which mapped and collected data on fish contamination in the Uraricoera, Branco and Mucajaí rivers.
The study only proves what indigenous leaders have been denouncing for years, about the environmental impacts of illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land. The contamination of fish puts at risk the collective health of the Roraima population, especially indigenous peoples and riverside dwellers who depend on fish for food and commercialization, in addition to causing irreparable damage to the ecosystem with the presence of polluting materials. The contamination may also be contaminating the tributaries of these rivers. The Yanomami peoples already feel the impacts of contamination from illegal mining, with the destruction and dumping of mercury into the Uraricoera River. We mention some of the Indigenous Lands that are directly affected by the contamination: Pium, Anta, Barata Livramento, Aracá, Aningal, Ouro, among others. Mercury is the main material used by miners for gold extraction in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.
It should be noted that the Federal Government and the State of Roraima are responsible for the pollution of rivers. Because in the last three years, both the President of the Republic and the governor of the state have defended mineral exploration activities on indigenous lands, supporting movements of miners who challenge inspection and environmental protection agencies. At the beginning of 2021, the then governor sanctioned Law No. 1,453/2021, on the licensing for mining activity in Roraima and allowed the use of mercury, which was later declared unconstitutional by the Federal Supreme Court (STF). And recently the governor, Antônio Denarium (Progressive) sanctioned a law that prohibits the destruction of illegal mining equipment. These government measures have encouraged and strengthened criminal activities by miners on indigenous lands.
In view of the seriousness and socio-environmental impacts it is causing in the lives of indigenous peoples, the CIR reiterates the requests for the competent bodies to continue with inspection actions to remove miners from indigenous lands, and to take judicial and administrative measures against the main financiers of illegal mining.
SOS, Save our rivers! Out with mining!