During an operation against illegal garimpos in the Tapajós River region, in the state of Pará-Brazil, federal agents tracked down a 52-year-old garimpeiro in the region. Illiterate, he says he started mining in 1983 and never stopped. He currently works an average of 13 hours a day for the people in charge of the garimpo. "I have no schooling, I'm completely illiterate. I need this job to ensure my survival and not have to take something from someone else. Working for ten days, you can earn R$5,000 or R$6,000, and sometimes even more. This money guarantees food for my wife and granddaughter, as well as maintaining the wooden house where we live. The boss of the garimpo sometimes comes, sometimes not. A manager runs the place," said the 52-year-old prospector.

Source: Amazon Agency