Archive · 24 Sep 2025
Brazil Expands Gold Tracing Program Amid Smuggling Surge
Imagine the police can identify gold's origin, like a fingerprint.
Brazil is using a special method to trace gold from illegal mines in the Amazon.
They are expanding the program to other countries as criminals smuggle gold across borders.
Rising gold prices are also driving illegal mining.
The program helps catch the bad guys and protect the rainforest.
Other countries are now developing similar methods, and Interpol is helping spread the process worldwide.
Cooperation across borders is increasing to combat environmental crimes.
Brazil expands gold tracing program to other countries to catch smugglers.
The program uses 'gold DNA' to link gold to illegal mining operations.
Interpol's Gaia Project supports the global adoption of the tracing method.
Smugglers shift tactics, exporting gold to neighboring countries, like Venezuela.
Cooperation includes sharing databases and intelligence with French Guiana and Colombia.
- Who
- Brazilian Federal Police, Interpol
- What
- Expansion of gold tracing program to combat illegal mining and smuggling
- When
- Ongoing, with recent expansions and international collaborations
- Where
- Amazon rainforest, Brazil, French Guiana, Colombia, Venezuela
- Why
- To catch criminals, protect the rainforest, and curb environmental crimes
- Program Purpose
- Trace gold from illegal Amazon mines
- Key Players
- Brazilian Federal Police, Interpol
- Method
- Cataloging "gold DNA" (morphological signature)
- International Cooperation
- Brazil, French Guiana, Colombia
- Interpol Initiative
- Gaia Project for global adoption
- Gold Seizure (2023)
- 80 kg (down from 308 kg)
- Gold Seizure (Jan-Aug 2024)
- 253 kg
- Smuggling Trend
- Gold is leaving Brazil
