Illegal mining camp found near Uiramutã waterfall in Roraima
A recently recorded video reveals an illegal mining camp hidden near the Flexal community in Uiramutã, northern Roraima. This area is part of the Raposa Serra do Sol indigenous territory, which has been a target for illegal miners. The camp is situated close to the Urucá Waterfall, a natural attraction known for its crystalline, greenish waters, which have recently appeared dense and muddy. Residents report that miners conceal their equipment and machinery in the forest, even burying engines to evade environmental control operations. When patrols depart, the mining activities resume. Access to the mining site is via the RR-171 highway. The National Indian Foundation (Funai) is monitoring information regarding the resumption of illegal mining in the Urucá/Urucazinho region. The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) stated the case is under investigation and is coordinating with the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), the Federal Police (PF), and the Secretariat of Indigenous Health (Sesai) to develop a plan to combat illegal mining. The Federal Police confirmed an ongoing investigation but declined further comment due to its confidential nature. A resident described how miners bury their engines, making them undetectable to passing patrols. The Roraima state government has stated that illegal mining and resulting environmental pollution on indigenous lands fall under federal jurisdiction, making enforcement and investigation the responsibility of Union agencies. The Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) is tracking the situation and plans to notify Funai, PF, and Ibama of the environmental crime. The muddying of the Urucá waterfall, which flows into the Cotingo River, has been attributed by indigenous organizations and residents to the increasing number of illegal mining operations. Miners reportedly use destructive methods, including explosives to break rocks and mercury to extract gold, contaminating water sources and fish consumed by local communities. This contamination of the Urucá stream is a documented issue within the Raposa Serra do Sol Indigenous Land, with indigenous leaders reporting at least 500 intruders. The Urucá community is among the most affected, alongside others like Napoleão and Tarame. In 2025, the Uiramutã municipal government had already alerted federal authorities about the silting of the Urucá stream, altered watercourses, and loss of riparian vegetation. Beyond environmental damage, the CIR has also highlighted social impacts, including threats to residents, river contamination, and the exploitation of indigenous youth in degrading labor conditions within illegal camps.
The situation in Raposa Serra do Sol highlights a recurring conflict between resource extraction and indigenous land rights, exacerbated by weak enforcement and the strategic evasion tactics employed by illegal miners. The environmental degradation, including water contamination with mercury, poses long-term risks to ecosystems and public health, impacting both wildlife and local communities. The jurisdictional division of responsibilities between state and federal authorities, while legally defined, appears to create operational gaps that allow illegal activities to persist. The described methods of concealing mining equipment suggest a sophisticated understanding of patrol patterns and a willingness to adapt to enforcement pressures. Future strategies may need to integrate more advanced surveillance technologies and community-based monitoring to effectively counter these evasive operations. The social consequences, such as the exploitation of indigenous youth, underscore the need for a holistic approach that addresses economic drivers and provides sustainable alternatives to prevent further marginalization and harm.
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