Manhunt for wildcat miners

Manhunt for wildcat miners

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Deep in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest, the Munduruku tribe has been searching out and expelling illegal “wildcat” miners encroaching on their territory.

The tribe’s actions come after their leaders travelled to the capital last year to demand the government remove non-indigenous miners from their land. Rather than wait for a court decision to start the process - which could take years - the Munduruku took matters into their own hands.

. CABURUA RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

With the help of boats they said were supplied by Brazil’s Indian affairs agency, Funai, the Munduruku have already dismantled several wildcat mines.

Miners operating without government licenses independent of large companies are common in both the Brazilian and Peruvian Amazon. They are known for using high levels of mercury that pollute local water sources.

Tribe members told Reuters that the Munduruku are sometimes called upon to do heavy labour for the miners, known as garimpeiros, in exchange for food, a small amount of gold or small sums of money. They also fear they may already be the targets of hired hit men.

Indians across Brazil say non-indigenous presence in their territories threatens their safety and unique culture, both of which are protected by the constitution.

. KADIRIRI RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

In addition to the wildcat miners, the Munduruku’s territory is also being affected by efforts to dam the Tapajos river and build new roads for exporting soy and corn crops.

Tribal leaders plan to resist the construction of the Teles Pires and Tapajos hydroelectric dams in Mato Grosso and Para states and have previously joined other tribes in protesting Belo Monte, which will flood large swathes of the Amazon once complete.

Their struggles come as South America's largest country is still grappling with unresolved indigenous land issues and has become one of the world's clearest examples of the conflict between preserving indigenous culture and promoting economic development.

The government says indigenous groups are consulted before energy projects that affect them are built, in accordance with international law.

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Slideshow

Munduruku warriors hold a meeting in the village of Retiro das Cobras near the Kadiriri River, a tributary of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers in Brazil’s western Para state.
. RETIRO DAS COBRAS, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Munduruku warriors hold a meeting in the village of Retiro das Cobras near the Kadiriri River, a tributary of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers in Brazil’s western Para state.

Members of the tribe search for illegal gold mines and miners in their territory.
. DAS TROPAS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Members of the tribe search for illegal gold mines and miners in their territory.

Warriors prepare themselves as they approach a wildcat gold mine.
. DAS TROPAS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Warriors prepare themselves as they approach a wildcat gold mine.

A Munduruku man holds up a monkey, which he hunted for food, during the group’s search for wildcat miners.
. TAPAJOS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

A Munduruku man holds up a monkey, which he hunted for food, during the group’s search for wildcat miners.

Another warrior carries a monkey the he hunted to eat.
. TAPAJOS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Another warrior carries a monkey the he hunted to eat.

Members of the tribe navigate the Das Tropas River, a tributary of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers, as they search for wildcat miners.
. DAS TROPAS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Members of the tribe navigate the Das Tropas River, a tributary of the Tapajos and Amazon Rivers, as they search for wildcat miners.

Munduruku warriors navigate the Caburua River, another tributary of the Tapajos and Amazon.
. CABURUA RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Munduruku warriors navigate the Caburua River, another tributary of the Tapajos and Amazon.

Warriors search for illegal gold miners.
. CABURUA RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Warriors search for illegal gold miners.

Tribesmen arrive at an area of jungle cleared for a mine.
. TAPAJOS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Tribesmen arrive at an area of jungle cleared for a mine.

Munduruku Indian warriors order non-indigenous gold miners (right and 2nd right) out of their territory.
. DAS TROPAS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Munduruku Indian warriors order non-indigenous gold miners (right and 2nd right) out of their territory.

After capturing illegal gold miners, the Munduruku transport them by boat.
. DAS TROPAS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

After capturing illegal gold miners, the Munduruku transport them by boat.

Munduruku Indian warriors dance and sing traditional songs in the evening.
. KADIRIRI RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Munduruku Indian warriors dance and sing traditional songs in the evening.

Members of the tribe arrive in the village of Katin after a day of searching for wildcat miners.
. KATIN, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Members of the tribe arrive in the village of Katin after a day of searching for wildcat miners.

Munduruku Indian women warriors pay their respects to Biboy, the oldest living leader of their tribe.
. KATIN, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

Munduruku Indian women warriors pay their respects to Biboy, the oldest living leader of their tribe.

. TAPAJOS RIVER, Brazil. REUTERS/Lunae Parracho

The area around the Tapajos River, inhabited by the Munduruku.