In recent years, gold mining has seen a significant increase in the Bolivian Amazon, infiltrating virgin areas within protected areas and Indigenous territories. This boom is driven by growing global demand for gold, especially through substantial purchases by central banks in countries such as India (Bolivia's main buyer), the United Arab Emirates, and China.
In Bolivia, the value of gold exports has increased since 2021. In 2022, profits from the sale of this metal reached US$3,073 million. While the Bolivian government received less than 2.5% of the earnings, the rest went to the private sector, mainly mining cooperatives. These private cooperatives form alliances, irregularly, with private actors, both national and foreign.
The series of reports will focus on the protected areas of La Paz and Pando: Madidi National Park (the subject of a previous investigation into illegal mining)and the Manuripi Amazonian Wildlife National Reserve, respectively. Likewise, it will investigate the Indigenous territories that are located on the banks of the Madre de Dios River (Pando and Beni); and the Kaka River (La Paz).
In collaboration with her colleagues from La Brava magazine, RIN Fellow Karen Gil will use satellite images to identify the increase in illegal mining sites in these areas.
