World · Latin America · 12 hrs ago
Brazilian court orders closure of century-old Amazon gold mine
A federal judge in Oiapoque, in Brazil’s Amapá state, ordered the Garimpo do Lourenço gold mine closed.
The mine, in the municipality of Calçoene, has been worked since 1890 and is considered Brazil’s oldest operating gold mine.
The judge accepted environmental agency Ibama’s claims that mining took place outside authorized areas, permits had expired and mercury was being used improperly.
Mercury can pollute the environment and harm human health, and the mine lies between protected areas in the Amazon.
Mining supports much of the local economy, including a community whose population ranges from 3,000 to 7,000 people.
The cooperative that runs the mine says it is licensed and will appeal the ruling to a federal court.
The mine had previously been shut by Ibama, but another judge suspended that action before the case was reassigned to Oiapoque.
A federal judge ordered the closure of the Lourenço gold mine in Calçoene, in Brazil’s Amapá state.
The mine, which has been worked since 1890, is described as Brazil’s oldest operating gold mine.
Judge Fernanda Gattas Oliveira Fidelis cited mining outside authorized areas, expired documentation and irregular mercury use.
The mine’s cooperative said it would appeal and maintained that the operation is licensed and regular.
The judge said the environmental and health risks outweighed the social and economic impact of a shutdown.
- Who
- Federal Judge Fernanda Gattas Oliveira Fidelis ordered the closure. The mine is administered by the Cooperativa de Mineração dos Garimpeiros do Lourenço.
- What
- The Lourenço gold mine was ordered to stop operating.
- When
- The decision was issued on the 29th; the article was published on November 9, 2026.
- Where
- Calçoene, in Brazil’s Amapá state.
- Why
- The judge cited mining outside authorized areas, expired documents and irregular mercury use, as well as environmental and health risks.
Judge Fernanda Gattas Oliveira Fidelis
Cooperativa de Mineração dos Garimpeiros do Lourenço
Basis for the decision
Judge Fernanda Gattas Oliveira Fidelis
The judge cited mining outside authorized areas, expired documentation and irregular mercury use.
Cooperativa de Mineração dos Garimpeiros do Lourenço
The cooperative said there was no proven materiality or authorship and that the mine operates regularly under licence.
Effect of closure
Judge Fernanda Gattas Oliveira Fidelis
The environmental and health risks outweighed the social and economic impact on workers and the community.
Cooperativa de Mineração dos Garimpeiros do Lourenço
The cooperative said it would appeal the decision.
Ibama embargoed activities at the mine and imposed more than R$6 million in fines.
A federal judge in Macapá granted an injunction suspending Ibama’s measures.
The cooperative received a definitive state licence.
Judge Fernanda Gattas Oliveira Fidelis ordered the mine closed.
- Mine
- Lourenço gold mine, worked since 1890
- Location
- Calçoene, Amapá state, Brazil
- Ibama fines
- More than R$6 million
- Cooperative members
- About 700
What people are saying
The social and economic impact of the shutdown on the cooperative members and the community of the Lourenço District is not ignored, and was the central basis of the decision granting the injunction. This impact, however, must be weighed against the environmental and health risk shown in the case record. Mercury is a persistent, bioaccumulative substance with chronic effects on human health, including that of the families who live in the region.