Avaliação dos impactos ambientais da atividadede garimpode ouro no rio Madeira (Amazonas)

Abstract

due to its associated socio-environmental impacts. This dissertation conducted an environmental impact assessment of this activity between 2021 and 2024, focusing on the section of the Madeira River located within the state of Amazonas, based on three main pillars: the systematic mapping of mining equipment using satellite imagery, a qualitative analysis of environmental impacts through the Rapid Impact Assessment Matrix (RIAM), and an economic valuation of damages using the Environmental Impact Calculator for Gold Mining (CSF/MPF). The methodology integrated optical and radar remote sensing (Google Earth Pro and Sentinel-1), document analysis, cross referencing of public and journalistic databases, and the application of empirical technical analyses. The mapping revealed a high density of dredges and barges along the 700 km stretch of the river, including repeated occurrences in areas previously subjected to enforcement actions. The identified impacts go beyond physical degradation of the aquatic environment, affecting biodiversity, the socioeconomic structure, exacerbating historical inequalities, and posing risks to public health, particularly due to mercury contamination. The economic valuation confirmed environmental losses that are often disregarded in decision-making processes. The results highlight the existence of a recurring and structured illegal operational model, sustained by regulatory gaps, institutional fragility, and the absence of effective traceability of these clandestine operations. Gold mining is a multidimensional phenomenon that requires science-based public policies, expanded use of monitoring technologies, intergovernmental control, and economic alternatives that recognize its potential for formalization.