A study in Resources Policy finds that nearly 363,000 square kilometres of the Brazilian Legal Amazon could face pressure from mining needed for clean energy technologies. The Legal Amazon covers nine Brazilian states and more than five million square kilometres, around 60 per cent of Brazil. The area at risk is mainly forest and is home to about 178,000 indigenous people and more than 17,000 quilombolas.
Researchers mapped the locations of critical mineral deposits and compared them with mining applications and approved permits. They found that a third of protected areas face some potential mining pressure and that 73 per cent—about 267,000 square kilometres—of the threatened conservation area is forest. Lead author Beatriz Carneiro warned that the figure is worrying even in a worst-case scenario, because it shows economic pressure during the licensing process near these territories.
International forecasts add urgency: the International Energy Agency predicts demand for minerals for clean technologies could double by 2030 and, in a net zero scenario, be up to four times greater by 2040. An Oxfam report states that 70 per cent of the mineral reserves crucial for the energy transition are in the global South. Geographer Rhuan Sartore described this as “green colonialism”, saying it treats ecosystems in the global South as sacrifice zones.
- Researchers recommend prioritising projects in already degraded areas.
- Avoiding mining expansion near protected zones.
- Stopping licence grants that ignore cumulative regional impacts.
- Strengthening territorial rights and recognising indigenous and quilombola lands.
Experts say action must be global: countries should trace the origin of imported minerals, be stricter about social and environmental impacts, and reduce energy consumption rather than only expanding capacity.
Difficult words
- mineral — naturally occurring metal or useful resourceminerals
- permit — official permission to do an activitypermits
- conservation — protection and careful use of nature
- quilombola — member of a traditional Afro-Brazilian rural communityquilombolas
- license — official process to approve or allow projectslicensing
- degraded — damaged or reduced environmental quality
- green colonialism — idea that environmental projects harm poorer regions
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What are the main risks for indigenous and quilombola communities if mining expands in the Legal Amazon?
- Which recommendation from the researchers do you think would be easiest to implement, and why?
- How could importing countries act to reduce the social and environmental impacts of mineral extraction?
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