Due to the uncontrolled advance of illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land, leaders of the Xirixana people were on Monday, February 7, at the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR), to denounce the danger they are running with this increase. Along with mining, drug trafficking, weapons, prostitution, death threats and high consumption and dissemination of alcoholic beverages also grow, in addition to deforestation, pollution and contamination of the waters by mercury.
The mining site they denounce is in the vicinity of the Herebe community, located on the Uraricoera River, in the municipality of Alto Alegre. According to the leaders, three "dredges" are being installed near the place where several Xirixana indigenous people live.
According to the document delivered to the legal department of the CIR, it reports the desperation and the request for help from the competent bodies so that urgent measures can be taken.
Illicit materials from illegal mining in the Yanomami indigenous land
"Well, here goes the voice of the Xirixana people, from the Uraricoera River, we want to denounce illegal mining near our Herebe community, which is located on the Uraricoera River in the municipality of Alto Alegre. Our community is suffering from the large amount of prostitution, use of alcohol and with three units of Dredgers very close to our community. With constant sales of drinks to relatives, which is bringing us problems. Lately we have lost a relative due to the use of alcoholic beverages and two wounded by stab weapons, who are in CASAI. So we need help from FUNAI, the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office, with the company of the National Force and the Army," the letter says.
Illegal mining is polluting forests and rivers, as well as causing harm to indigenous peoples
The leaders highlight the reason why they requested the help of the CIR. "We want this to end, our relatives end up getting involved because the miners offer drinks, weapons and ammunition as a form of bribe so that they give permission to install mining in that region. This has been causing many conflicts and even deaths among relatives," he said.
In response to the Yanomami leaders, the legal advisors of the CIR stated that they will call on the competent bodies to take the necessary measures and to ensure the protection of indigenous communities.