Brazilian arrested in Iwokrama protected area amid crackdown on illegal mining

A continued crackdown on illegal gold mining in the Iwokrama Protected Area has led to the arrest of a Brazilian national.

On November 1, 2025, Flaviano Teixiera-Costa was apprehended during a joint operation involving the Iwokrama International Centre (IIC), the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission (GGMC), the Guyana Police Force, and Iwokrama Rangers. The arrest forms part of a broader collaborative effort to stem the influx of illegal miners into the Iwokrama Forest, a 371,000-hectare reserve renowned for its unique biodiversity and sustainable forestry initiatives.

Over the past year, authorities have noted a slight reduction in illegal mining, but the presence of foreign nationals attempting to exploit the area remains a growing concern. During the operation, several miners fled, leaving behind passports that revealed the identities of other individuals allegedly involved in illegal activities: Jailson Ferreira Lima, Iago Silva Alves, Jose Antonio Rodrigues Dos Santos, and Jose Do Santos Silvino. Notably, Silvino had previously been apprehended during an October 8 operation.

Authorities have emphasised that these Brazilian nationals entered Guyana under the guise of tourism, intending to engage in prohibited gold mining within the Iwokrama Protected Area. The Iwokrama Act of 1996 clearly prohibits mining and other illegal activities in the forest, with strict penalties for violations.

The IIC reiterated that illegal mining threatens Guyana’s ecological integrity, disrupts local livelihoods, and undermines the management of protected areas. The Centre reserves the right to publish the names and photographs of individuals found participating in these illegal operations.

“We continue to rely on collaboration to tackle illegal mining effectively,” said Iwokrama management, acknowledging the support of the Ministry of Natural Resources, GGMC, the Guyana Police Force, the Protected Areas Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Iwokrama International Centre, established in 1996 under a joint mandate of the Government of Guyana and the Commonwealth Secretariat, manages the forest to generate lasting ecological, social, and economic benefits. With active participation from 20 local communities, scientists, and international partners, the IIC implements sustainable forestry, tourism, and research initiatives that showcase how rainforest resources can be conserved while contributing to community development.

For more information on the Iwokrama International Centre and its programmes, visit www.iwokrama.org or www.iwokramariverlodge.com.