Changes in labor relationships and in gold mining production models in Tapajós region

Abstract

The aim of the current article is to investigate how labor relationships have developed along with technical changes taking place in wildcat gold mining camps (‘garimpos’) in Tapajós River’s channel, from the perspective of people who have worked in them, from the 1950s to the 80s. Secondly, the article is also an analysis on how social organization, morality-production practices and wildcat gold miners’ perceptions about using natural resources collided to the new environmental paradigms observed from the 1970s, on. The analysis method gathers the collective memory of former gold miners and theoretical studies about the political contexts, legal frameworks and issues linked to both artisanal and small-scale mining. It is possible observing the economic front of mining as injunction condition, despite its economic relevance for cities and communities in the region. Given its high capacity to absorb manpower, the mining economy is based on informality and illegality conditions, and its production methods have great potential to degrade the environment. Products used in mining procedures and their waste significantly harm the aquatic ecosystem in Tapajós basin and threaten food security of both traditional communities and mining-zone neighboring settlements. Despite the standards set for this mineral exploration modality, the State has been incapable of effectively controlling and regulating small-scale mining in the country; still, there is a long way between prescription and practice in Tapajós’ mining.