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Venezuelan authorities announced the expulsion of approximately 10,000 individuals from an illegal gold mine following a tragic collapse in February that claimed the lives of at least 16 miners. The Bulla Loca mine, located in the Bolivar state in Venezuela’s Amazon region, has been shut down and cleared out, as reported by General Domingo Hernandez Larez of the armed forces’ operational command.
In a video shared online, General Larez revealed the significant environmental impact of the operation, showcasing large craters and deforested areas around the mine, which was illegally established within the La Paragua Forest Reserve.
The evacuation efforts commenced after the collapse of the open-pit mine in February, with local residents claiming that the actual death toll exceeded the official count of 16.
Furthermore, over the past year, around 14,000 illegal miners have been removed from the Yapacana National Park in the neighboring Amazonas state, where widespread environmental devastation occurred due to mining activities.
Environmental activists have raised concerns about the “ecocide” in the region, pointing out the exploitation of children who work long hours in hazardous conditions without adequate protection.
Authorities have highlighted the destructive practices of illegal miners, including deforestation, water contamination, and underground drilling that poses a threat to the environment and Indigenous communities.
President Nicolas Maduro issued orders last July for the deployment of armed forces to combat what he described as the “destruction of the Amazon of South America and Venezuela” caused by illegal mining.
Rights advocates have criticized the use of excessive force during the eviction processes at illegal mining sites, where foreign nationals from neighboring countries like Colombia, Brazil, and Ecuador are also involved.
Additional insight on the environmental, social, and regulatory ramifications of illegal mining activities in sensitive ecological zones could shed further light on the challenges faced by authorities in combatting these illicit operations and safeguarding natural habitats.
