Due to a state-sanctioned gold mining boom, the loss of Venezuela’s primary forests is estimated to increase by about 170% per year — faster even than in Brazil
surroundings
December 9, 2022
A gold mine in Bolivar state, southern Venezuela Jorge Silva/Reuters/Alamy
Fueled by a state-sanctioned gold mining boom, Venezuela’s Amazon rainforest is being destroyed faster than any other country.
“No one sees this destruction because it happens so quickly that it cannot be measured,” said Alejandro Alvarez Iragori, coordinator of Clima21, a Venezuelan NGO that promotes environmental human rights. “The environmental damage and the speed at which it happened is catastrophic.”
Approximately 63% of Venezuela’s land is covered by natural…
