Gold in the Amazon Rainforest

September 7, 2007

Brazil is having the biggest gold rush in decades. It has been called Eldorado do Juma, and is spreading by word of mouth and via the internet. A school teacher posted his findings online, and since mid 2006 up to 10,000 people have made the journey in search of gold.

People hoping to find gold start their journey in the ranching town of Apui. From here people can take taxis or trucks for a ride of 45 miles along the Rior Juma. Then one must pay for a boat to take the prospective miner 30 minutes up the river to the mine. The total cost of the trip is about $20, which one may easily find in a day.

To get to Apui travelers have 2 choices. The slow route is to take the Trans-Amazonian Highway from Porto Velho. This 450 mile trip can be done in a bus and takes over 18 hours. The faster route is to take Apui Aero Taxi from Manus for about an hour and a half ride. This ride costs about $230.

The area of the mine has been compeletly deforested in search of treasure. The sounds of the forest are unheard, as the blasting and clanging of metal pans overpowers everything. It is estimated there is up to 3000 people are working the mine every day. Sanitation conditions have deteriorated rapidly, and illness frequently spreads throughout the area.

Reports vary on how much gold can be found here, since those that are finding gold don't want to attract competition. However it is too late, people from all over the globe have visited in search of gold.