Peru's Operation Mercury stopped most illegal gold mining in one

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining is a lifeline for many who live in Madre de Dios, a region in southeastern Peru, where poverty is high and jobs are scarce. But the economic development in this part of the basin comes at a cost, as it causes deforestation, build up of sediment in rivers, and mercury contamination in nearby watersheds, threatening public health, Indigenous peoples, and the future of the biodiversity hotspot. And much of the mining activity is unauthorized.

Mercurio 2019: Peru's latest effort to establish control in Madre

Peru Raids Biggest Illegal Mines to Stem Gold Rush - Bloomberg

Peru's crackdown on illegal gold mining a success, but only

Gold Mining Archives - Conservation Association

Peru's crackdown on illegal gold mining a success, but only

Gold rush, mercury legacy: Small-scale mining for gold has

The Pull of Peru's Gold Rush

Deforestation, Erosion Exacerbate Mercury Spikes Near Peruvian

Gold Mining in Countries: an overview - Aid Foundation