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City in Mato Grosso generates more than R$1 billion annually from gold mining, according to documentary shown on international channel
The city of Peixoto de Azevedo, located in northern Mato Grosso, was featured in the documentary “Gold Rush: Parker Schnabel”, broadcast by Discovery Channel in March 2025. The episode revealed that the city moves around 4 tons of gold per year, which represents revenue of approximately US$ 200 million (around R$ 1,14 billion at the current exchange rate), making it one of the main mining hubs in the country. Local production caught the attention of miner Parker Schnabel, the protagonist of the series, who compared the numbers from the city in Mato Grosso with those of Yukon, Canada, where he operates.
History and growth of gold mining in Peixoto de Azevedo
According to the Peixoto River Valley Miners' Cooperative (Coogavep), the entity responsible for regulating part of the mining activity in the region, around 7 thousand miners work in an organized manner in the municipality. Mining in the region began in the 1970s, intensifying from 1978, when the first major gold discoveries were made. attracted thousands of workers to the north of Mato Grosso. Since then, it is estimated that the city has produced approximately 250 tons of gold, generating an accumulated value of over US$ 14 billion (R$ 80 billion), according to a survey by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG).
Geology and gold potential of the region
The gold potential of Peixoto de Azevedo is due to its location in the Alta Floresta Gold Province, a geological formation dating back to the Paleoproterozoic, a period that occurred approximately 2,5 billion years ago. According to the Institute of Geosciences of the University of São Paulo (USP), this region contains high concentrations of gold due to volcanic activity and geothermal processes that facilitated the formation of mineral deposits over the centuries.
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Sustainability and socioeconomic impacts
Coogavep has implemented measures to ensure the legality of its activities and reduce environmental impacts. Part of the profits made by gold miners, approximately 0,3% of total production, is used to finance environmental licenses and social projects in the region. These initiatives include the recovery of degraded areas and the promotion of reforestation.
In addition to its environmental impact, mining also generates employment opportunities and boosts the local economy. According to the Mato Grosso Department of Industry, Commerce and Mining, the gold sector accounts for 30% of the municipality's economy, being one of the city's main sources of revenue.
