Brazilian gold prospectors or garimpeiros, (pronounced garim- pay-roos) are responsible for about 80% of that country’s gold output, a recent report says.
The independent pick and shovel diggers, known as garimpeiros, have become such a significant economic force in Brazil that a recent international seminar was held to recognize the importance of their activity.
There are now some one million garimpeiros in the Amazon region of Brazil. They generate an estimated $2 billion to $3 billion a year through production of gold, cassiterite and semi-precious stones.
Brazil’s new constitution even suggests that mining activity by garimpeiros organized into co- operatives should be given preference over mining company activity in certain areas.
About 90% of garimpeiro production is from alluvial activity. This year, Brazil’s garimpeiros could produce as much as 125 tonnes of gold and 10,000 tonnes of cassierite.
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