Indigenous groups in Pando announce eviction of gold miners

Five indigenous nations in the Pando Amazon region have announced plans to forcibly evict gold mining cooperatives from the banks of the Madre de Dios River. The Central Indígena de los Pueblos Originarios de la Amazonia de Pando (CIPOAP), representing the Tacana, Ese Ejja, Cavineño, Machineri, and Yaminahua peoples, has set a deadline of September 30 for the removal of these miners.

The decision follows reports of massive illegal mining, particularly within the Multiethnic Indigenous Territory II (TIM II). Representatives claim that approximately 90% of the rafts and dredges in the area operate without authorization from the Mining Administrative Jurisdictional Authority (AJAM). Environmental studies indicate that these operations release hundreds of kilograms of mercury into the ecosystem every month, contaminating the water, air, and fish stocks essential to local communities.

Javier Fernández, president of CIPOAP, stated that defense committees will be formed within each community to protect their territory. He also warned that the indigenous groups hold the State responsible for any consequences arising from the planned eviction.