Ka’apors indigenous unite against illegal mining in Maranhão

Itahu Ka’apor looks out the window of the truck, wondering at the landscape. Not long ago, the surroundings of the Alto Turiaçu Indigenous Land (TI), in Maranhão, had small plantations and cattle herds from the settlements of family farmers. Now, what is observed are large rips in the forest, opened by illegal gold mining. “Our territory is very close. We are worried.”

Mineral exploration has not yet entered the TI, but devastation is approaching at a rapid pace — being just two kilometers from the border. Walking along the branches that surround the territory, it is possible to see the transit of trucks carrying fuel, pumps and dredgers to the mines, in addition to tractors and excavators.

Research has already identified mercury contamination from illegal mining in the Maracaçumé River, one of the largest in the region, which is already beginning to affect animals and plants, according to biologist Antônio Marcos Pereira.

“Bolsonaro made it easier for the miners, and now it’s full of them,” laments Itahu.

The proximity of the threat was Sarapó Ka’apor’s greatest concern in the last months of his life. Died in May of this year in circumstances that have not yet been clarified, at the age of 45, the indigenous leadership had already denounced the approach of miners to Cimi (Indigenist Missionary Council).

Sarapó had also commanded, in 2019 and 2021, two operations to expel groups that were trying to start gold exploration in the TI. It has been the target of threats since 2013, when it helped create the territory protection strategy, and was part of the Maranhão Human Rights Defenders Protection Program since 2015.

Under his leadership, the Ka’apors were one of the pioneers in the implementation of a system of surveillance and self-defense of the territory against invaders, similar to the one used by their Guajajara neighbors and that has inspired other peoples throughout Brazil – such as the indigenous peoples of Vale do Javari, where indigenist Bruno Pereira and British journalist Dom Phillips were murdered in June.

Due to the history of threats, the ka’apors suspect that Sarapó was poisoned and are now fighting to have his death clarified — the investigation is now in the hands of the Federal Police, which, after four months, has not released any conclusions.

At the same time, his successors promise to live up to his legacy of fighting for the standing forest. “We cannot surrender. We have to defend the territory”, says Itahu.

the enemy’s advance

In addition to the proximity of illegal mining, the ka’apors face the greed of large mining companies. About 50 requests for gold research knock on the TI’s door in the so-called Gurupi Belt, a gold deposit with approximately 12,000 km² in extension, on the border of the states of Pará and Maranhão, with resources estimated at more than 158 tons of gold.

According to data from the ANM (National Mining Agency), three requirements for research and exploration of this ore border the IT. Two of them are registered in the name of MCT Mineração, a company linked to Australia’s OZ Minerals, and the third is in the name of Mineração Serras do Oeste, a subsidiary of Canadian Jaguar Mining. The ANM has already given authorizations for the start of research in the region.

Sought after, Jaguar Mining stated that mining rights close to TI were sold in 2017 to MCT. OZ Minerals confirmed its operations in the region, affirming its commitment to environmental preservation and the rights of indigenous peoples. The company noted that the area is currently occupied “by illegal mining activities by groups unrelated to OZ Minerals”.

In addition to these active requests, three requests for research for gold exploration within the indigenous territory on behalf of Mineração Silvana, a company that belongs to the Santa Elina Group, which until March was the business conglomerate champion of requests for mineral research in indigenous lands, are listed as inactive. , as revealed by Repórter Brasil. The requests were made in 1996 and rejected by the agency in 2019, but the mining company requested reconsideration of the analysis.

Sought, the Santa Elina Group stated that it intends to withdraw from the requests. The ANM replied that the legislation “allows the issuance of a research permit” in the vicinity of TIs.

Although they do not encroach on the Ka’apors’ territory, the three active requirements in the ANM are located in their “buffer zone”—a region protected around indigenous lands to prevent impacts from reaching the demarcated areas.

However, the ka’apors denounce that not even the limits of the IT have been respected, reporting that they have already encountered research activities within their lands: in 2019 “they entered on a motorcycle, with an antenna to do research and prospecting devices” , denounces Itahu.

Whether through large mining companies or illegal miners, the greed for gold under Ka’apor territory is as old as the resistance of the ethnic group.

In the 19th century, Barão de Mauá tried to explore gold in the region in partnership with an English enterprise, but they were expelled by the indigenous people. Fifty years later, in 1905, Guilherme Linde —a businessman who would become the “gold baron” of Gurupi — also failed to expand his production after three attacks by the indigenous people.

In recent years, the indigenous people have given the same message to the loggers, who until 2013 occupied part of the Alto Turiaçu TI, but were removed by the defenders of the territory. Sarapó has actively participated in these actions in recent years. Now, his legacy serves as an inspiration.

“If you mine, there will be war,” read the flag held by a young Ka’apor in front of the leader’s grave in June.

Collaborated with Marina Rossi.