Brazil's Gold Lab Fights Illegal Mining | Global News

Brazil’s federal police are deploying cutting-edge forensic science to crack down on illegal Amazon gold mining, using a “gold lab” in Brasília to fingerprint seized gold and trace its origin. This method, developed since 2019 with universities, employs X-ray fluorescence to prove whether gold came from protected or Indigenous lands—critical for prosecuting criminals who launder illicit gold through legal permits. As gold prices soar, smugglers operate “ghost mines” disguised as legal operations, but the lab’s evidence is turning the tide. Beyond legal battles, mercury contamination from illegal mining poisons rivers and Indigenous communities, and Brazil’s push to ban mercury would further strengthen forensic efforts and protect the rainforest’s future. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b16c98dea307c500