Mercury Smuggling Cracked: Peru's Major Seizure Threatens Illegal Gold Mining

Peruvian authorities have intercepted a major shipment of mercury bound for Bolivia, suspected to be used in illegal gold mining operations. Weighing in at four metric tons, the mercury was concealed as a container of crushed rock, highlighting the increasing sophistication of black market logistics.

This seizure, conducted at the Callao port, represents the largest mercury capture recorded in the Amazon region, underscoring a worrying trend in the global gold trade. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) disclosed that past interceptions have been half this size, indicating escalating illegal activity driven in part by the soaring value of gold.

Gold's price hike to $3,500 per troy ounce has bolstered demand, significantly impacting mercury trafficking originating from Mexico. This sophisticated smuggling network has also seen mercury prices spike to $330 per kilogram, further fueling illegal production, as reported by the EIA.

(With inputs from agencies.)