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Strategic planning to mitigate mining impacts on protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon

Author

Listed:
  • Juliana Siqueira-Gay

    (University of São Paulo
    Instituto Escolhas)

  • Jean Paul Metzger

    (University of São Paulo)

  • Luis E. Sánchez

    (University of São Paulo)

  • Laura J. Sonter

    (The University of Queensland
    The University of Queensland)

Abstract

Growing demand for minerals is increasing pressure to open protected areas (PAs) for mining. Here we develop spatially explicit models to compare impacts among five policy scenarios to downgrade combinations of PA to allow mining in the Brazilian Amazon. We found downgrading (opening) the region’s entire PAs network to develop an additional 242 mineral deposits would cause 183 km2 of deforestation from mining, half of this in highly biodiverse regions. This scenario would also require 1,463 km of new roads that facilitate access to the region, causing indirect deforestation (estimated to be 40 times larger than direct mining clearing) and forest fragmentation. Downgrading fewer PAs would halve the impacts of mine expansion but require longer access roads per additional deposit mined to avoid crossing areas still protected. Promoting sustainable development while safeguarding biodiversity in mineral-rich regions requires strategic long-term planning that includes identifying no-go areas critical to conservation and designing policies to reduce infrastructure impact when providing access to new mining areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Juliana Siqueira-Gay & Jean Paul Metzger & Luis E. Sánchez & Laura J. Sonter, 2022. "Strategic planning to mitigate mining impacts on protected areas in the Brazilian Amazon," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 5(10), pages 853-860, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:5:y:2022:i:10:d:10.1038_s41893-022-00921-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-022-00921-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Benjamin Fritz & Bernhard Peregovich & Lorena Silva Tenório & Adria Cristina Silva Alves & Mario Schmidt, 2024. "Mercury and CO2 emissions from artisanal gold mining in Brazilian Amazon rainforest," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 15-22, January.

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