Illegal gold mining is profitable in Brazil, bringing in more than $2 billion a year. And the government has made it easier to get away with. But the practice damages the rainforest and poisons indigenous communities. We go to a town at the center of the illegal mine business. You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

Illegal gold mining is profitable in Brazil, bringing in more than $2 billion a year. And the government has made it easier to get away with. But the practice damages the rainforest and poisons indigenous communities. We go to a town at the center of the illegal mine business. You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices NPR Privacy Policy

Illegal gold mining is profitable in Brazil, bringing in more than $2 billion a year. And the government has made it easier to get away with. But the practice damages the rainforest and poisons indigenous communities. We go to a town at the center of the illegal mine business. You can support NPR's journalism this Giving Tuesday by going to donate.npr.org or learn more about NPR+ at plus.npr.org. Learn more about sponsor message choices: <a href="https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices" rel="noopener noreferrer">podcastchoices.com/adchoices</a> <a href="https://www.npr.org/about-npr/179878450/privacy-policy" rel="noopener noreferrer">NPR Privacy Policy</a>

The economic boom and environmental bust of illegal gold

Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld

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Immerse yourself in the most compelling and consequential stories from around the globe. The world is changing in big ways every day. State of the World from NPR takes you where the news is happening — and explains why it matters. With bureaus spanning the globe, NPR reporters bring you facts and context from the ground so you can cut through the noise of disinformation. NPR's State of the World, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. State of the World was previously State of Ukraine. You'll continue to hear Ukraine coverage here, along with other international stories. Support NPR's reporting by subscribing to State of the World+ and unlock sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org/stateoftheworld

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