"Peru cracks down on illegal gold mining to save deforested Amazon area" -NBC News, Reuters, Feb. 20th, 2019
Article Summary by Milana Baldizzi
Peru has recently launched a drive to eliminate illegal mining in one of the most bio diverse and carbon rich forests in the Amazons, Madre de Dios. This region has been sent hundreds of military troops and police officers in an operation to crack down on illegal gold mining. If successful, this operation will be the first time Peru has managed to stop illegal mining. These mining camps not only release tons of mercury into the environment, but fuel child labor and sex trafficking. These mining camps, and the groups organizing and working them, are now more violent and methodical than previously. President Martin Vizcarra’s government is hoping this effort will prove successful in areas that previous government attempts have fallen short.