# Amazon indigenous health and mining crisis > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/amazon-indigenous-health-and-mining-crisis > Updated: 2026-09-25T15:38:05.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2. Indigenous and traditional communities across the Amazon are facing severe health and environmental crises driven by climate change and illegal mining. In Brazil, research indicates that severe droughts, heatwaves, and forest fires, combined with mining expansion, are creating compound risks for food security and mobility. This has led to increased hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues, particularly among vulnerable groups like children and the elderly. In Bolivia, the National Coordinator for the Defense of Indigenous, Native, Peasant Territories and Protected Areas (CONTIOCAP) has warned of potential mercury contamination resulting from gold mining. The organization reported signs consistent with Minamata syndrome, including physical deformities in children and spontaneous abortions. To address these issues, a delegation from Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Brazil intends to present a report on the mercury-related health and environmental crisis to the Vatican. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: Bolivian indigenous groups demand studies into Amazon mercury contamination Indigenous organizations in Bolivia are demanding government studies into potential mercury poisoning and Minamata syndrome symptoms in Amazonian communities linked to gold mining. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivian-indigenous-groups-demand-studies-into-amazon-mercury-contamination ### 2026-08-27: Amazon climate change and mining threaten indigenous health Climate change and illegal mining are driving health crises in the Amazon, increasing respiratory and cardiovascular issues among indigenous groups like the Yanomami and Munduruku. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amazon-climate-change-and-mining-threaten-indigenous-health --- Cite as: Amazon indigenous health and mining crisis. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/amazon-indigenous-health-and-mining-crisis