New illegal mine detected in Venezuela's Canaima National Park

The environmental organization SOS Orinoco has denounced the discovery of a new illegal mining operation within Venezuela's Canaima National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1994. The newly identified mine spans 5.8 hectares and is located near Playa Linda, at the mouth of the Carrao River where it meets the Caroní River, an area within the park's boundaries.

SOS Orinoco released satellite images via social media, illustrating the significant environmental damage caused in the affected zones. These images are visible to tourists arriving by plane to visit attractions like Canaima Lagoon and Angel Falls. The organization stated that this new mine is not an isolated event, citing its latest report for World Heritage Watch, which documents 1,852.96 hectares of illegal mining within Canaima and 49 active dredgers operating in the Caroní River. The NGO claims the operation is driven by indigenous Pemón leaders from Sector 2 of Canaima, working in "coordination with politicians and military," a situation that has reportedly caused internal divisions within local communities.

The environmental group issued a stark warning about the consequences, noting that processed mercury can disperse up to 100 kilometers downstream. Furthermore, the increased sedimentation from mining activities could potentially affect the lifespan of the turbines at the Guri hydroelectric dam. SOS Orinoco has urged Venezuela to allow a reactive monitoring mission from UNESCO, emphasizing that the country has been postponing such an inspection. The organization has repeatedly called on the government to set a date for the UNESCO mission, highlighting the "ecological collapse" the natural heritage site faces due to illegal mining, mercury pollution, and a lack of official action.