Illicit Alluvial Gold Mining Expands 4.5% to 118,410 Hectares in 2025

Alluvial gold mining area in 2025 reached 118,410 hectares, up 4.5% from prior year, with 75% attributed to illicit activity. This indicates persistent illegal mining expansion, likely in regions like the Amazon, with environmental and security implications. The data, reported by La República, underscores the scale of informal mining operations that often fuel conflict and deforestation.