The Federal Police, together with the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) and the Public Ministry of Labor (MPT), carried out an operation to investigate reports of illegal mining activity in the city of Maués, in the south of Amazonas, and rescue workers in situations similar to slavery.
The teams went to the location and discovered, this Monday (29), the presence of more than 70 miners working in degrading conditions equivalent to slavery. Operation Mining Obscura began last Friday (26).
According to PF investigations, the site is one of the most profitable mines in all of Latin America, with a daily production of more than 6 kilos of gold.
According to the PF, mining is carried out in the well, where workers operate underground, without any personal protective equipment.
Furthermore, the practice of “debt bondage” was identified, which is when workers work to pay an unattainable debt, highlighting the inhumane exploitation of workers.
“This joint action aims not only to curb illegal activities, but also to protect workers’ rights and preserve the environment. Those responsible for illegal mining will be held accountable before the law, while measures will be taken to guarantee the rescue and adequate assistance to workers found in vulnerable situations”, says the PF.
The operation continues until Friday (3), the date on which a review of the Federal Police's actions in the region will be released.
Source: CNN Brasil
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