In two years, Sos Orinoco said, 56.96 hectares of Apacara Island (Canaima National Park) have been affected by five “intensive mining” areas, which has affected 35% of the riverside forest
The SOS Orinoco organization denounced on Monday 21 the expansion of illegal mining on an island of the Caroní River, within the Canaima National Park (Bolívar State), and the consequent destruction of the ecosystem in that area.
“In two years, illegal mining destroyed the riverside forest, contaminated the habitat and waters with mercury and contributed a large amount of sediments to the river that are going to the Guri reservoir, where the Simón Bolívar hydroelectric plant is located,” said the NGO in A publication In social networks.
This accumulation of sediments, explained the organization, affects the water storage capacity of the reservoir and damages the turbines of the hydroelectric power plant “which affects the electricity supply throughout the country.”
In social networks, photos of dredges and mining rafts have circulated throughout the Middle Caroní area. On April 14, a statement circulated where indigenous leaders of sector II Karamata-Kanaimö recognize illegal mining depredation in the area since at least 12 years, in which they have participated in a smaller scale, as well as the need to migrate to other sustainable practices with the environment.
Sosorinoco pronounces on the declaration of the Captains of Sector II Karamata-Kanaimö, of the indigenous communities PEMÓN located within the Canaima National Park, Humanity Heritage Site
We invite you to read the full statement, which can be concluded … pic.twitter.com/w1Gekcoqno– SOS Orinoco (@sosorinoco) April 14, 2025
In two years, Sos Orinoco insisted, 56.96 hectares have been affected by five “intensive mining” areas, which has affected 35% of the riverside forest of the island Apacara.
The organization increased Nicolás Maduro, Minister Diosdado Cabello, the head of the Strategic Operational Command of the Armed Forces, G/J Domingo Hernández Lárez, the Venezuelan Mining Corporation and the Ministry of Ecosocialism for this mining predation.
*Also read: Fan reports that he dismantled an illegal mining camp in Amazonas
He questioned who provides fuel and supplies (food, medicines, tents and machinery) to get to that place, the roads they use and who allows access or permits to exercise mining “within a national park that is also a world heritage site.”
Alert: Intensive mining expansion on an island of the Caroní River within the Canaima National Park, World Heritage Site.
Aument between Feb 2023 and Feb 2025
56.96 ha.
In 2 years, illegal mining destroyed the riverside forest, contaminated habitat and waters with … pic.twitter.com/1uy8zhdskt– SOS Orinoco (@sosorinoco) April 21, 2025
*Journalism in Venezuela is exercised in a hostile environment for the press with dozens of legal instruments arranged for the punishment of the word, especially the laws “against hatred”, “against fascism” and “against blockade.” This content is being published taking into account the threats and limits that, consequently, have been imposed on the dissemination of information from within the country.
