{"id":238540,"date":"2024-12-24T13:02:59","date_gmt":"2024-12-24T12:02:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=238540"},"modified":"2024-12-24T13:43:20","modified_gmt":"2024-12-24T12:43:20","slug":"gold-mining-in-madre-de-dios-mercury-in-every-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/gold-mining-in-madre-de-dios-mercury-in-every-body\/","title":{"rendered":"Gold mining in Madre de Dios: mercury in every body"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Madre de Dios, perceived as Peru\u2019s capital of biodiversity and cultural diversity, faces significant impacts from gold mining activities. The consequences extend from ecological to social, ranging from ecological degradation to social consequences including human rights violations and the loss of ancestral lands. In the ancient forests of Madre de Dios, every body is hurt: from rivers to soils and from trees to humans.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Header photo: Gold mining in Madre de Dios, Peru. \u00a9 Tom Laffay<\/mark><\/em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\"> <em>\/ IUCN NL<\/em><\/mark><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Madre de Dios is located in the southeastern part of Peru. It is widely known as the \u201ccapital of biodiversity\u201d with 93% of its area covered in tropical forest ecosystems. Covering 3.8 million hectares of the Peruvian Amazon, it is one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on Earth. At the same time, it is also one of Peru\u2019s most culturally diverse regions, and the home to ten Indigenous populations with 37 native communities<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_1');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_1');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_1\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_1\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Instituto Nacional de Estad\u00edstica e Inform\u00e1tica &#8211; INEI. (2017).<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_1').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_1', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Sadly, within this context of cultural and ecological richness, there is also a lot of violence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:21px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gold mining in Madre de Dios<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Over the last decades, Madre de Dios has been severely impacted by the presence of mining, particularly for the extraction of gold. It has been one of the main causes of environmental degradation and a driver of deforestation<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_2');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_2');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_2\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[2]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_2\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program. MAAP #185: Gold Mining Deforestation in the Southern Peruvian Amazon: 2021-2022 Update. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/peru-gold-mining-update\/\">Link t<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/peru-gold-mining-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">o<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/peru-gold-mining-update\/\"> source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_2').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_2', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Out of the 712 mining concessions documented in the country, 452 of them are identified within Madre de Dios; making the area the epicenter of the problem, according to a recent study<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_3');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_3');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_3\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[3]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_3\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">ACCA. (2024). Concesiones mineras ponen en riesgo la biodiversidad en \u00c1reas Protegidas y Reservas Ind\u00edgenas en la Amazon\u00eda peruana. <a href=\"https:\/\/acca.org.pe\/concesiones-mineras-ponen-en-riesgo-la-biodiversidad-en-areas-protegidas-y-reservas-indigenas-en-la-amazonia-peruana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_3').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_3', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Part of the mining is conducted legally, but a recent study of &nbsp;the Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program showed that more than 40,000 mines operate illegally in natural protected areas and their neighboring rivers and\/or within the territories of Indigenous peoples. Gold mining in Madre de Dios does not only affect the quality of life and health of Indigenous peoples and other Amazon communities; it has also been a major cause of violence<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_4');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_4');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_4\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[4]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_4\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">CEDIB et al. (2024). Miner\u00eda Ilegal de Oro: impactos sobre los derechos humanos y la biodiversidad en la Amazon\u00eda Seis pa\u00edses reportan. <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INFORME-COP-16-WEB_compressed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_4').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_4', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Mercury persists in the environment without breaking down. It bioaccumulates in food chains and remains toxic indefinitely. It is a \u201cforever\u201d chemical<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mercury in every body<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In Madre de Dios, gold mining is primarily alluvial. This type of gold extraction heavily <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/iucn-nl-sheds-light-on-the-formal-and-informal-mercury-trade\/\">relies on the use of mercury<\/a>, because artisanal small-scale miners (ASGM) cannot afford mercury-free extraction methods. Mercury can be used during various stages of the mining process and depending on the method, different amounts of mercury are needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>&nbsp;After its use for ASGM, mercury is released into the surrounding environment in two ways: as a gas and by dissolving in water. As a gas, mercury evaporates into the atmosphere, where it can travel long distances before settling. Once dissolved in water, mercury contaminates in rivers and other water bodies both people and nature depend on<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_5');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_5');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_5\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[5]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_5\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">IUCN. (2020). Opening the black box: local insights into the formal and informal global mercury trade revealed. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/iucn-nl-sheds-light-on-the-formal-and-informal-mercury-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_5').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_5', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Once introduced into the ecosystem, mercury undergoes chemical transformations, such as converting into methylmercury, a highly toxic form that accumulates in fish and other aquatic organisms. This contamination disrupts the natural cycles of rivers and soils, impairing their ability to support biodiversity and ecosystem functions<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_6');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_6');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_6\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[6]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_6\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Gworek B., Dmuchowski, W. and Baczewska-Dabrowska, A.H. (2020). Mercury in the terrestrial environment: a review. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springeropen.com\/epdf\/10.1186\/s12302-020-00401-x?sharing_token=br1XNkWI1KzYpTxs3wyg8m_BpE1tBhCbnbw3BuzI2RNPKU5mWxqSMNTNEMhiAlwLveFT-r0kcQtEXf54VlOZkqv4Cff9Lk8MxnkZqVtZ06Qxi5KeqoaN7Xc8nw0b3Askp0sdP0BYG7355tZ4NSFnMrZXBIlwuM2B_qLFw4yP2ZY%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_6').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_6', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Mercury persists in the environment without breaking down. It bioaccumulates in food chains and remains toxic indefinitely. It is a \u201cforever\u201d chemical. Many local communities and Indigenous peoples depend on the area\u2019s natural resources, providing them ecosystem services like water, fish and other types of food. Mercury-polluted water therefore compromises their health and livelihoods. In addition to water bodies, the soil becomes polluted affecting both biodiversity and agricultural crops. In addition, many Amazon people rely on mining for their livelihood and are in direct contact with mercury on a daily basis. According CAMEP (2013), 78% of adults in the area have significantly higher levels of mercury detected in their hair than the limits suggested by the World Health Organization<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_7');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_7');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_7\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[7]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_7\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Carnegie Amazon Mercury Ecosystem Project &#8211; CAMEP. (2013). Research brief. Mercury in Madre de Dios: Mercury concentrations in fish and humans in Puerto Maldonado. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loisellelab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/CAMEP_Research_Brief.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_7').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_7', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Health issues range from neurological damage, organ damage and reproductive issues. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/iucn-nl-sheds-light-on-the-formal-and-informal-mercury-trade\/\">Read our report on mercury trade<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"600\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/River-affected-by-gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-238543 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/River-affected-by-gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay.png 600w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/River-affected-by-gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/River-affected-by-gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/600;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Gold mining in Madre de Dios \u00a9<\/mark><\/em> <em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Tom Laffay<\/mark><\/em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\"> <em>\/ IUCN NL<\/em><\/mark><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"599\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Woman-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Thomas-Muller-SPDA.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-238545 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Woman-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Thomas-Muller-SPDA.png 600w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Woman-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Thomas-Muller-SPDA-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Woman-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Thomas-Muller-SPDA-150x150.png 150w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 600px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 600\/599;\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Woman in Madre de Dios Photo \u00a9 <\/mark><\/em><em><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-cyan-bluish-gray-color\">Thomas Muller \/ SPDA<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:41px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mining: deforestation and ecosystem degradation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Mercury pollution is only one example of the impacts that ASGM gold mining has brought upon the area of Madre de Dios. Other consequences are deforestation and overall ecosystem degradation. From 1985 until 2017, a total area of 95,750 hectares has been deforested in the region, with 64,586 hectares lost only during the years of 2009 until 2019<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_8');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_8');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_8\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[8]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_8\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">CEDIB et al. (2024) Miner\u00eda Ilegal de Oro: impactos sobre los derechos humanos y la biodiversidad en la Amazon\u00eda Seis pa\u00edses reportan. <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INFORME-COP-16-WEB_compressed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_8').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_8', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In Peru, mining, and particularly ASGM, is not a primary driver of deforestation compared to agriculture or logging. Nevertheless, it significantly contributes to land degradation and land-use change. Even though ASGM clears relatively small patches of forest, it does leave behind highly degraded landscapes, polluted soils and waterways, as well as the increased sedimentation make recovery difficult. Combined with the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services, the overall environmental impact of mining is substantial<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_9');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_9');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_9\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[9]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_9\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program. MAAP #208:Gold mining in the southern Peruvian Amazon, summary 2021-2024. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/maap-208-gold-mining-in-the-southern-peruvian-amazon-summary-2021-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_9').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_9', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The way of life of Amazon people has been entangled with the forest and its resources for many generations. This means that the destruction of the ecosystems does not only affects their livelihoods and health, it also affects their cultural and social structures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Violence related to deforestation and environmental degradation appears in different forms extending from physical violence to economic and social violence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:39px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Different types of violence<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The Peruvian Ministry of Justice suggests that there is a direct link between the presence of gold mining in Madre de Dios and the violation of human rights<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_10');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_10');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_10\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[10]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_10\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">CEDIB et al (2024). Miner\u00eda Ilegal de Oro: impactos sobre los derechos humanos y la biodiversidad en la Amazon\u00eda Seis pa\u00edses reportan. <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INFORME-COP-16-WEB_compressed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_10').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_10', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. When we closely explore the violence that Amazon communities experience in relation to mining, we see that violence related to deforestation and environmental degradation appears in different forms extending from physical violence to economic and social violence. These different types of violence are often interconnected. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Examples of physical violence are homicides and human trafficking, as well as the direct deterioration of people\u2019s health due to mercury pollution. In 2020, Madre de Dios was recorded as the region with the highest number of murders in the country. In 2021, 200 people were killed in the region, of which 40% were Indigenous<span class=\"footnote_referrer\"><a role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" onclick=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_11');\" onkeypress=\"footnote_moveToReference_238540_1('footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_11');\" ><sup id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_11\" class=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text\">[11]<\/sup><\/a><span id=\"footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_11\" class=\"footnote_tooltip\">Instituto Nacional de Estad\u00edstica e Inform\u00e1tica &#8211; INEI (2017).<\/span><\/span><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> jQuery('#footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_11').tooltip({ tip: '#footnote_plugin_tooltip_text_238540_1_11', tipClass: 'footnote_tooltip', effect: 'fade', predelay: 0, fadeInSpeed: 200, delay: 400, fadeOutSpeed: 200, position: 'top center', relative: true, offset: [-7, 0], });<\/script>. Indigenous peoples are especially affected by the violence, as the protection of the Amazon forest is intrinsically linked to them defending their territories and livelihoods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>At the same time, local and Indigenous communities in Madre de Dios experience other forms of violence due to mining. Trespassing and the loss of ancestral lands, along with the cultural and natural heritage, are some examples. At the same time, mining is the major economic activity within Madre de Dios. With no other comparably profitable alternatives, many people are forced or drawn to engage with these practices. This can create conflict and fragmentation between families and generations, weakening the community\u2019s social fabric and rendering them more vulnerable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Differentiated impact on women<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>Part of the different types of violence affect women in particular. For example, the sexual harassment and overall lack of safety they may experience in the area is often exacerbated by the presence of people involved in extractive activities. Living in a constant state of insecurity, fearing their safety and that of their families, has a great impact on women\u2019s mental health and well-being. Therefore, for women environmental defenders, the fight over their territories and environmental integrity is directly linked to their fight for their rights and gender equality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/situation-of-women-defenders-in-madre-de-dios-a-call-for-collective-action\/\">Read more about women in Madre de Dios<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PIDDA: inclusive protection of environmental defenders<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:16px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The different types of violence women in Madre de Dios must deal with underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to protect women defenders and their territories. The PIDDA project sheds light on the situation of women environmental defenders to promote their and their communities\u2019 effective participation in the development of public policy. Activities include providing information contributing to improved, gender-sensitive national policy protecting environmental defenders, but also working with women so they better protect themselves, through our partners in Madre de Dios.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>PIDDA is a collaboration of <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental<\/a> (SPDA), IUCN NL and two community-based organisations in Madre de Dios. The project is being supported by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.afd.fr\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Agence Fran\u00e7aise de D\u00e9veloppement<\/a> (AFD).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/project\/pidda-strengthening-environmental-defenders\/\">Read more about PIDDA<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_301b7c6095c1bc07e60774c63f09b213\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"smallteam-members__name12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n\t<div id=\"team-members-block_03d615d31241a152f5b6ab63ee1fc54e\" class=\"team-members team-members-block block\">\n\t\t<span class=\"anchor-id\" id=\"\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"team-members__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>More information? <\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"team-members__body small-12 grid-x\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mariel-cabero-expert-environmental-justice\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/46IUCN-300418-2-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/46IUCN-300418-2-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/2560;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mariel-cabero-expert-environmental-justice\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Mariel\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCabero<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Expert Environmental Justice<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:mariel.cabero@iucn.nl\">mariel.cabero@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__readmore\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mariel-cabero-expert-environmental-justice\/\" target=\"\">Volledig profiel<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__socials\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/mariel-cabero-ugalde-71829834\/\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-linkedin\" aria-label=\"Linkedin profile of Mariel Cabero\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"Linkedin logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:26px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Relevant resources:<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/iucn-nl-sheds-light-on-the-formal-and-informal-mercury-trade\/\">Report on formal and informal global mercury trade by IUCN NL <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mercurio.infoamazonia.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Platform on mercury in the Amazon<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/event\/webinar-how-can-we-eradicate-mercury-in-artisanal-and-small-scale-gold-mining\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Webinar on how to eradicate mercury in ASGM<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/human-rights-commission-urges-bolivia-to-immediately-eliminate-mercury-use-and-trade\/\">Article: human rights commission urges Bolivia to eliminate mercury use<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/documentary-to-ban-mercury-in-the-philippines\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Documentary on mercury use for ASGM in the Philippines<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"posts related_content small-12\">\n    <div class=\"post__titlebar grid-x\">\n                    <h2 class=\"post__title\">Updates from the Amazon<\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"post__body\">\n                    <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x show-for-medium\">\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/international-womens-day-2026-why-gender-justice-is-urgent-for-women-defenders-in-the-amazon\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Meeting-of-the-Indigenous-Kotsimba-community-in-Madre-de-Dios_Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Meeting-of-the-Indigenous-Kotsimba-community-in-Madre-de-Dios_Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Meeting-of-the-Indigenous-Kotsimba-community-in-Madre-de-Dios_Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            International Women\u2019s Day 2026: why gender justice is urgent for women defenders in the Amazon\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/course-in-madre-de-dios-to-strengthen-the-work-of-peruvian-environmental-defenders\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Environmental-defenders-course-in-Madre-de-Dios.-Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Environmental-defenders-course-in-Madre-de-Dios.-Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Environmental-defenders-course-in-Madre-de-Dios.-Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Course in Madre de Dios to strengthen the work of Peruvian environmental defenders\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/opinion\/recycled-but-not-responsible-loopholes-in-recycled-gold-from-the-amazon\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Opinion\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Recycled but not responsible: loopholes in recycled gold from the Amazon\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/celebrating-all-women-in-all-their-diversity-this-international-womens-day\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-03-at-16-04-02-Llamado-de-las-mujeres-indigenas-amazonicas-al-cuidado-de-los-sistemas-alimentarios-indigenas-on-Vimeo-1-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-03-at-16-04-02-Llamado-de-las-mujeres-indigenas-amazonicas-al-cuidado-de-los-sistemas-alimentarios-indigenas-on-Vimeo-1-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-03-at-16-04-02-Llamado-de-las-mujeres-indigenas-amazonicas-al-cuidado-de-los-sistemas-alimentarios-indigenas-on-Vimeo-1-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            International Women&#8217;s Day 2025: strengthening gender equality worldwide\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"show-for-small-only\">\n                <div class=\"orbit\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Updates from the Amazon\" data-orbit>\n                    <div class=\"orbit-wrapper\">\n                        <ul class=\"orbit-container\">\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/international-womens-day-2026-why-gender-justice-is-urgent-for-women-defenders-in-the-amazon\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Meeting-of-the-Indigenous-Kotsimba-community-in-Madre-de-Dios_Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Meeting-of-the-Indigenous-Kotsimba-community-in-Madre-de-Dios_Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Meeting-of-the-Indigenous-Kotsimba-community-in-Madre-de-Dios_Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            International Women\u2019s Day 2026: why gender justice is urgent for women defenders in the Amazon\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/course-in-madre-de-dios-to-strengthen-the-work-of-peruvian-environmental-defenders\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Environmental-defenders-course-in-Madre-de-Dios.-Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Environmental-defenders-course-in-Madre-de-Dios.-Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Environmental-defenders-course-in-Madre-de-Dios.-Photo-Diego-Perez-SPDA-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    News\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Course in Madre de Dios to strengthen the work of Peruvian environmental defenders\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/opinion\/recycled-but-not-responsible-loopholes-in-recycled-gold-from-the-amazon\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Gold-mining-in-Madre-de-Dios-Photo-Tom-Laffay-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Opinion\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Recycled but not responsible: loopholes in recycled gold from the Amazon\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/celebrating-all-women-in-all-their-diversity-this-international-womens-day\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-03-at-16-04-02-Llamado-de-las-mujeres-indigenas-amazonicas-al-cuidado-de-los-sistemas-alimentarios-indigenas-on-Vimeo-1-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-03-at-16-04-02-Llamado-de-las-mujeres-indigenas-amazonicas-al-cuidado-de-los-sistemas-alimentarios-indigenas-on-Vimeo-1-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Screenshot-2025-03-03-at-16-04-02-Llamado-de-las-mujeres-indigenas-amazonicas-al-cuidado-de-los-sistemas-alimentarios-indigenas-on-Vimeo-1-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            International Women&#8217;s Day 2025: strengthening gender equality worldwide\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <nav class=\"orbit-bullets\">\n                                                                            <button class=\"is-active\" data-slide=\"0\">\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\" data-slide-active-label><\/span>\n                        <\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"1\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"2\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"3\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                <\/nav>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"speaker-mute footnotes_reference_container\"> <div class=\"footnote_container_prepare\"><h2><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_label pointer\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_238540_1();\">Index<\/span><span role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" class=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button\" style=\"display: none;\" onclick=\"footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_238540_1();\">[<a id=\"footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_238540_1\">+<\/a>]<\/span><\/h2><\/div> <div id=\"footnote_references_container_238540_1\" style=\"\"><table class=\"footnotes_table footnote-reference-container\"><caption class=\"accessibility\">Index<\/caption> <tbody> \r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_1');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_1\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>1<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Instituto Nacional de Estad\u00edstica e Inform\u00e1tica &#8211; INEI. (2017).<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_2');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_2\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>2<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program. MAAP #185: Gold Mining Deforestation in the Southern Peruvian Amazon: 2021-2022 Update. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/peru-gold-mining-update\/\">Link t<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/peru-gold-mining-update\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">o<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/peru-gold-mining-update\/\"> source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_3');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_3\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>3<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">ACCA. (2024). Concesiones mineras ponen en riesgo la biodiversidad en \u00c1reas Protegidas y Reservas Ind\u00edgenas en la Amazon\u00eda peruana. <a href=\"https:\/\/acca.org.pe\/concesiones-mineras-ponen-en-riesgo-la-biodiversidad-en-areas-protegidas-y-reservas-indigenas-en-la-amazonia-peruana\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_4');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_4\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>4<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">CEDIB et al. (2024). Miner\u00eda Ilegal de Oro: impactos sobre los derechos humanos y la biodiversidad en la Amazon\u00eda Seis pa\u00edses reportan. <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INFORME-COP-16-WEB_compressed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_5');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_5\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>5<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">IUCN. (2020). Opening the black box: local insights into the formal and informal global mercury trade revealed. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/publication\/iucn-nl-sheds-light-on-the-formal-and-informal-mercury-trade\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_6');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_6\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>6<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Gworek B., Dmuchowski, W. and Baczewska-Dabrowska, A.H. (2020). Mercury in the terrestrial environment: a review. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.springeropen.com\/epdf\/10.1186\/s12302-020-00401-x?sharing_token=br1XNkWI1KzYpTxs3wyg8m_BpE1tBhCbnbw3BuzI2RNPKU5mWxqSMNTNEMhiAlwLveFT-r0kcQtEXf54VlOZkqv4Cff9Lk8MxnkZqVtZ06Qxi5KeqoaN7Xc8nw0b3Askp0sdP0BYG7355tZ4NSFnMrZXBIlwuM2B_qLFw4yP2ZY%3D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_7');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_7\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>7<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Carnegie Amazon Mercury Ecosystem Project &#8211; CAMEP. (2013). Research brief. Mercury in Madre de Dios: Mercury concentrations in fish and humans in Puerto Maldonado. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loisellelab.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/09\/CAMEP_Research_Brief.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_8');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_8\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>8<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">CEDIB et al. (2024) Miner\u00eda Ilegal de Oro: impactos sobre los derechos humanos y la biodiversidad en la Amazon\u00eda Seis pa\u00edses reportan. <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INFORME-COP-16-WEB_compressed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_9');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_9\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>9<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Monitoring of the Andes Amazon Program. MAAP #208:Gold mining in the southern Peruvian Amazon, summary 2021-2024. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.maapprogram.org\/maap-208-gold-mining-in-the-southern-peruvian-amazon-summary-2021-2024\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_10');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_10\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>10<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">CEDIB et al (2024). Miner\u00eda Ilegal de Oro: impactos sobre los derechos humanos y la biodiversidad en la Amazon\u00eda Seis pa\u00edses reportan. <a href=\"https:\/\/spda.org.pe\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/INFORME-COP-16-WEB_compressed.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Link to source<\/a>.<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n<tr class=\"footnotes_plugin_reference_row\"> <th scope=\"row\" class=\"footnote_plugin_index_combi pointer\"  onclick=\"footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1('footnote_plugin_tooltip_238540_1_11');\"><a id=\"footnote_plugin_reference_238540_1_11\" class=\"footnote_backlink\"><span class=\"footnote_index_arrow\">&#8593;<\/span>11<\/a><\/th> <td class=\"footnote_plugin_text\">Instituto Nacional de Estad\u00edstica e Inform\u00e1tica &#8211; INEI (2017).<\/td><\/tr>\r\n\r\n <\/tbody> <\/table> <\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\"> function footnote_expand_reference_container_238540_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_238540_1').show(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_238540_1').text('\u2212'); } function footnote_collapse_reference_container_238540_1() { jQuery('#footnote_references_container_238540_1').hide(); jQuery('#footnote_reference_container_collapse_button_238540_1').text('+'); } function footnote_expand_collapse_reference_container_238540_1() { if (jQuery('#footnote_references_container_238540_1').is(':hidden')) { footnote_expand_reference_container_238540_1(); } else { footnote_collapse_reference_container_238540_1(); } } function footnote_moveToReference_238540_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_238540_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } } function footnote_moveToAnchor_238540_1(p_str_TargetID) { footnote_expand_reference_container_238540_1(); var l_obj_Target = jQuery('#' + p_str_TargetID); if (l_obj_Target.length) { jQuery( 'html, body' ).delay( 0 ); jQuery('html, body').animate({ scrollTop: l_obj_Target.offset().top - window.innerHeight * 0.2 }, 380); } }<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Madre de Dios, perceived as Peru\u2019s capital of biodiversity and cultural diversity, faces significant impacts from gold mining activities. The consequences extend from ecological to social, ranging from ecological degradation to social consequences including human rights violations and the loss of ancestral lands. In the ancient forests of Madre de Dios, every body is hurt: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":238549,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[61],"tags":[183,184,312,197],"class_list":["post-238540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-story","tag-human-rights-and-nature","tag-mining","tag-pidda-en","tag-responsible-value-chains"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=238540"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238540\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":238580,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/238540\/revisions\/238580"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/238549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=238540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=238540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=238540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}