Brazil launched a military operation in late 2024 to clear out illegal gold mining from one of the most heavily impacted Indigenous lands in the country, the Munduruku Indigenous Territory. Located in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest, the gold brimming underground has attracted criminal groups, entrepreneurs, and even some Indigenous people — as well as their equipment and toxic chemicals that have wreaked havoc on ecosystem and human health alike. This special issue delves into the underreported aspects of the sweeping government operation, which came years after court orders. By bringing together the voices of Indigenous people, researchers and officials, we explore the military tactics, spread of miners, plans of criminal groups, motivations of Indigenous people, economic alternatives, health care projects, and more. Fundamentally, the series offers insight into what a successful operation could look like over the long term, for both nature and the people chasing gold.
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