A new study shows that mining for minerals used in clean energy is threatening a large area of the Brazilian Legal Amazon. The researchers report that nearly 363,000 square kilometres could face current or future mining pressure.
The Legal Amazon covers nine Brazilian states and more than five million square kilometres, about 60 per cent of Brazil. The area at risk is mostly forest and is home to many indigenous people and more than 17,000 quilombolas. The study found that one-third of protected areas face some mining pressure and that much of the threatened zone is still forest.
Difficult words
- mining — The activity of removing minerals from ground
- threaten — To put something in danger or at riskthreatening
- pressure — Force or strong influence on people or place
- indigenous — People who come from a region originally
- protected area — Land legally kept safe for nature or peopleprotected areas
- quilombola — People from specific traditional communities in Brazilquilombolas
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Do you think mining is a problem for forests? Why?
- How could mining affect people who live in the area?
- Should protected areas be kept safe from mining? Give a short reason.
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