Illegal Gold Mining in the Amazon

May 5, 2026, 15:29
InternationalEnvironment

Introduction

Gold is now very expensive. Because of this, more people are mining gold illegally in the Brazilian Amazon. This kills trees and puts poison in the water.

Main Body

Many people cut down forests to find gold. They take land from Indigenous people and nature parks. Since 2018, they destroyed a lot of forest. Criminal groups pay for this work. The police try to stop them, but the miners just move to a new place. It is hard to stop them because the gold is sold as legal gold. Miners use a chemical called mercury. This chemical goes into the rivers. Fish eat the mercury. Then people eat the fish and get sick. Children are in great danger.

Conclusion

The government wants to stop these criminals. However, the mining continues. It is still a big danger to people and nature.

Learning

⚡ THE 'CAUSE AND EFFECT' CHAIN

In this text, we see a pattern: Something happens → Something else happens because of it. This is the best way to build A2 sentences.

Look at the chain:

  1. Gold is expensive → People mine illegally.
  2. People mine → Trees die.
  3. Mercury in river → Fish eat it → People get sick.

🛠️ USEFUL WORD: "BECAUSE OF"

Instead of long stories, use "Because of + [Noun/Thing]" to explain a reason quickly.

  • Example: "Because of this (the price), more people are mining."

Try these simple swaps:

  • It is raining, so I stay home. → Because of the rain, I stay home.
  • The gold is expensive, so they mine. → Because of the gold, they mine.

🚩 WORD ALERT: "STILL"

Notice the word "still" in the conclusion. We use it when a situation does not change.

  • The police try to stop them... but it is still a big danger.

A2 Rule: Put "still" before the adjective or the verb to show the problem continues.

Vocabulary Learning

gold
The shiny metal that is valuable.
Example:Gold is used to make jewelry.
expensive
Cost a lot of money.
Example:The watch is very expensive.
people
Human beings.
Example:People like to read books.
mining
The activity of extracting minerals from the earth.
Example:Mining can damage the environment.
illegal
Not allowed by law.
Example:It is illegal to park here.
kill
To cause death.
Example:The fire can kill many animals.
trees
Tall plants with a trunk.
Example:Trees give us oxygen.
poison
A harmful substance that can make people sick.
Example:Poison can be found in some plants.
water
A clear liquid that people drink.
Example:Water is essential for life.
forest
A large area covered with trees.
Example:The forest is home to many animals.
land
The surface of the earth.
Example:They own a piece of land.
Indigenous
Native people who originally lived in a place.
Example:Indigenous cultures have rich traditions.
nature
The natural world, including plants and animals.
Example:Nature is beautiful.
police
People who enforce the law.
Example:The police stopped the traffic.
stop
To bring to an end.
Example:Please stop shouting.
miners
People who dig for minerals.
Example:Miners work underground.
mercury
A heavy liquid metal used in some chemicals.
Example:Mercury can be dangerous.
fish
Aquatic animals that live in water.
Example:Fish swim in the ocean.
sick
Not healthy, feeling ill.
Example:I feel sick after eating too much.
children
Young human beings.
Example:Children enjoy playing games.
danger
The possibility of harm.
Example:There is danger in the storm.
government
The group that runs a country.
Example:The government made new rules.
continues
To keep going.
Example:The rain continues all day.