Brazil's Amazon faces severe drought, illegal mining and budget-driven inspection cuts

A report issued by the Amazônia 2030 project warns that the Brazilian state of Amazonas is suffering from extreme droughts, floods and rising temperatures that are harming agriculture, fish stocks and food security for riverine and Indigenous communities. The study highlights illegal gold mining that uses mercury, contaminating the Amazon rivers and threatening the health of traditional populations.

At the same time, the federal government’s R$ 23.7 billion budget cut to the Agência Nacional de Mineração (ANM) jeopardises the inspection of 43 dams and 18 mining piles slated for technical review by the end of 2026. The agency says the cuts could delay analysis of projects involving critical minerals such as lithium, niobium and rare earths, reduce royalty collections and raise safety risks for structures located near vulnerable communities.

A scientific expedition in the Marajó archipelago (Pará) surveyed the impact of recent climate extremes on local açaí production. Researchers recorded lower water levels, higher salinity and “burnt” açaí fruit, linking these changes to the severe dry seasons of 2023‑2024 and projecting further stress on the livelihood of approximately 310 quilombola families.