Brazil opens vast Amazon reserve to mining

Brazil’s government has abolished a vast national reserve in the Amazon to open up the area to mining. The National Reserve of Copper and Associates (RENCA) is thought to be rich in gold and other minerals

Fully protected conservation units 
Sustainable development reserves (RDS) 
Territories of indigenous peoples

BRAZIL Brasilia
SURINAME 
FRENCH GUIANA
Maicuru Biological Reserve Main area of interest for copper and gold exploration
Rio Paru D’Este
P A R Á STATE
Pará State Forest
Amapá State Forest
Rio Cajari Extractive Reserve
Tumucumaque National Park
A M A P Á STATE
Walāpi
Rio Iratapuru
Jari Ecological Station


RENCA: Covers 46,000 sq km – area larger than Denmark. About 30 percent will be open to mining

50km
30 miles

Sources: WWF, BBC                        © GRAPHIC NEWS