ILLEGAL MINING, SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL CONFLICTS AND DEFORESTATION IN THE LEGAL AMAZON: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev7n9-095Keywords:
Illegal Mining, Mining, Deforestation, Mercury, Legal AmazonAbstract
Illegal mining has established itself as a significant driver of deforestation in the Legal Amazon, producing environmental and social impacts that include mercury contamination, habitat fragmentation, territorial conflicts, and pressure on Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands. This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and assessed the methodological quality of the studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. The search was conducted in SciELO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, covering the period 2008 to 2022. A total of 2,664 records were identified; after screening and reading titles and abstracts, 66 articles were selected for full-text reading, 21 of which met the inclusion criteria. The results highlight the direct and indirect effects of illegal mining on deforestation, highlighting the role of access roads, gold markets, and weak enforcement. The summary highlights the need for integrated public policies, strengthened oversight, and sustainable economic alternatives to reduce dependence on mining. It concludes that the recent intensification of illegal mining is associated with spikes in deforestation and public health risks resulting from mercury exposure.
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