Assault on Tuichi: Illegal Mining Invades Madidi | Asalto al Tuichi: minería ilegal invade Madidi

By El Diario:

They intend to bring machinery in for illegal mining activity in the Tuichi River

Heavy machinery being transported to the Santa Cruz del Valle Ameno checkpoint to enter Madidi.

Despite the existence of environmental precautionary measures in favor of the Tuichi River in the Madidi National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area, issued by the Plenary Chamber of the Agro-Environmental Tribunal, it was reported today, according to residents of the town of Apolo in Franz Tamayo Province of the department of La Paz, that there is an attempt to bring heavy machinery into the protected area through the Santa Cruz del Valle Ameno control post for illegal gold-mining operations.

A backhoe is being hauled by a tow truck bound for the Virgen del Rosario community, located on the banks of the Tuichi River, where, allegedly, Chinese gold-mining cooperative members operate illegally.

The Plenary Chamber of the Agro-Environmental Tribunal issued Environmental Order No. SP-TAA 012/2025, which establishes Environmental Precautionary Measures due to threats to biodiversity conservation, the environment, and public health in the Tuichi River within the Madidi National Park and Integrated Management Natural Area, where 44 illegal gold-mining operations exist.

The National Service of Protected Areas (Sernap) must enforce the precautionary measures, including the prohibition on making changes and the ban on the entry of heavy machinery into Madidi.

However, as of the close of this edition, it was learned that at the Santa Cruz del Valle Ameno control post the protection corps is stationed with only three park rangers and one environmental monitoring officer, who will attempt to prevent the illegal act.

Heavy machinery being transported to the Santa Cruz del Valle Ameno checkpoint to enter Madidi.
Heavy machinery being transported to the Santa Cruz del Valle Ameno checkpoint to enter Madidi.

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