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Seven Years After the Discovery of the 804-Gram Nugget Valued at R$ 112 Thousand, Bahia Still Remembers the Find That Triggered a Gold Rush and Entered Into the History of the Northeast
In the small town of Santaluz, in northeastern Bahia, the discovery of a gold nugget weighing approximately 804 grams in March 2018 triggered an unexpected movement.
The material, valued at around R$ 112,584.12 at the time, was found by a prospector after he broke a rock by the edge of a hole where there was an armadillo.
The incident occurred in a mineral research area under the concession of the mining company Brio Gold, a subsidiary of Canadian Yamana Gold, which held about 2,000 hectares under research.
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The Gold Rush
The news spread quickly across social media, attracting about 500 prospectors to the site. This sudden influx was described as a true gold rush, with people claiming extraction rights in the area. According to inspections by the National Mining Agency, more than 11 kg of gold was extracted informally during the invasion.
Residents of Santaluz reported apprehension in light of the massive presence of strangers. Holes, makeshift camps, and even children were seen in the area where illegal extraction was taking place. The chaotic advance drew attention because of the speed and volume of people involved.
Legal and Environmental Issues
The region where the nugget was found was already suffering from invasions and informal mining activities, a practice considered illegal without authorization from the National Mining Agency or environmental agencies. The concession of Brio Gold remained active but did not prevent the movement of prospectors after the discovery.
The Santaluz city hall stated that it chose not to get directly involved in the case. In light of the situation, the National Mining Agency informed that it would conduct an inspection operation with police support. The agency emphasized that it could not disclose the date of the operation to preserve the necessary element of surprise to curb the irregular activity.
Meanwhile, the ongoing situation continued to worry residents and authorities, marking an episode of great tension in the city.
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