MPF files civil actions against illegal mining in Brazil's Amazon region

MPF illegal mining environmental damage cassiterite gold

The Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) has launched two civil public actions targeting illegal mining operations in Brazil's Amazon region. In Rondônia, the MPF sued two individuals for unauthorized cassiterite extraction in the municipality of Rio Crespo, which resulted in the suppression of 6.2341 hectares of native vegetation. The suit seeks full environmental restoration and compensation for the damage caused. In Amazonas, the MPF filed a separate action against 13 people accused of operating an illegal gold‑mining scheme in the Urupadi National Forest, Maués. The operation, active from April 2023 to August 2025, extracted roughly 71 kg of gold, deforested about 3.72 hectares, and contaminated local waterways with mercury and cyanide. The prosecutor is requesting R$ 1.567 billion in damages for environmental harm and collective moral damages, as well as restitution for the value of the extracted gold.

Entities: 4th Battalion of the Military Police (4º BPM) · Armação dos Búzios Municipality · BR‑101 highway · Environmental Police (Brazil) · Environmental Policing Battalion (BPAMB) · Federal Police (BPFRON) · Federal Public Ministry (MPF) · Federal Public Prosecutor's Office (MPF) · Gold · Lagoa Azul neighbourhood, Natal · Law 9.605/1998 (Brazilian environmental crime law) · Maritime Guard (Brazil)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 2 SOURCES] Armação dos Búzios conducted a joint operation with the Environmental Police and the Maritime Guard to monitor vessels over 10 gross tonnage to combat illegal fishing in protected areas. (article 21e1d187-6cac-45e6-a613-84d9a8ec9dd6)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police halted illegal sand extraction in Natal, seizing three workers, an excavator and two trucks. (a3b05d1d-d2cc-468b-a54d-0996daec2641)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The municipal guard of Praia Grande inspected bars and warehouses to enforce noise regulations and public order. (ad7a39fb-9bda-47c6-9539-ed012847ebec)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Operation in Armação dos Búzios monitored vessels over 10 gross tons to combat illegal fishing in protected areas. (21e1d187-6cac-45e6-a613-84d9a8ec9dd6)
[○ 1 SOURCE] A 48‑year‑old man was arrested in Arapoti, Paraná on suspicion of child sexual abuse. (article db548910-3b16-4d32-b5db-7092326877f6)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Federal Public Prosecutor filed a civil action in Rondônia against two individuals for illegal cassiterite mining that suppressed 6.2341 hectares of native vegetation. (MPF)
[○ 1 SOURCE] MPF seeks R$1.567 billion in damages for illegal gold mining in the Urupadi National Forest, Amazonas, which extracted about 71 kg of gold and deforested 3.72 ha. (MPF)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Federal, state and military police seized 373 kg of cannabis in a clandestine depot in Foz do Iguaçu after tracking a boat from Paraguay. (bc4dc718-b81a-408f-b574-652623b9959d)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police seized 20,000 packs of contraband cigarettes from a truck in Mercedes, Paraná, during an integrated operation. (32dff1c7-bd27-4a50-99d1-04890476fc02)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police seized 20 000 packs of contraband cigarettes in Mercedes, Paraná during an integrated operation. (article 32dff1c7-bd27-4a50-99d1-04890476fc02)
[○ 1 SOURCE] Police recovered more than 17 kg of illicit drugs in a residence in the Colonial neighborhood of Criciúma. (article 87edfdc7-8fd4-414d-9d8d-b851bdfce818)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The MPF sued 13 people for illegal gold mining in the Urupadi National Forest, Amazonas, seeking R$1.567 billion in damages for environmental harm and illegal extraction of about 71 kg of gold. (article 7e8a78df-8180-4d21-968b-7189775adda7)