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Global Giants Apple and Microsoft Are Accused of Buying Illegal Gold from the Amazon. Google and Amazon Are Also Involved in the Transaction.
The investigation by Repórter Brasil points out that stolen gold from the Amazon has been used for the production of technological devices from Apple and Microsoft, as well as for super servers from Google and Amazon.
According to the information, companies Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Amazon are part of the RMI – Responsible Minerals Initiative – association that audits the refiner Marsam. The Marsam refiner is the main buyer of gold from FD’ Gold and is currently accredited for trading, even while acquiring gold under investigation for illegal activity.
However, FD’Gold is an independent Securities Distributor and is also a defendant in court in a case seeking to halt its activities in Pará, due to an accusation made by the MPF (Federal Public Ministry) for buying gold extracted from indigenous lands.
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Illegal Purchases of Amazon Gold Took Place in 2020 and 2021
The portal reveals that, according to documents obtained, purchases took place in 2020 and 2021 through the Italian company Chimet, which has also been investigated for being the “destination point” of the entire movement.
Although there are projects, led by President Jair Bolsonaro, for the legalization of mineral extraction on indigenous lands, the action is still not authorized.
This type of extraction is considered one of the greatest threats to the Amazon region. Experts emphasize that the action cannot be treated as “artisanal method,” as some wish to impose through legislation.
Apple Says It Has Ended Any Work with Marsam
Both companies are required to submit to the SEC, the U.S. agency equivalent to the Securities and Exchange Commission, a list of their suppliers regarding all metals used in their productions, at the time interactions between the companies were found.
Two months later, the investigated companies have still not commented on the matter. Among the four, only Apple claims to have ended any work with Marsam.
Recapping
It all starts in Kayapó, according to the Federal Police, where the company CHM buys most of the illegal gold. Soon after, the contact reaches Chimet, which has already had a total of R$ 2.1 billion transferred to the initial company as payment. From Italy, the metals are transferred to the United States and reach the major U.S. companies mentioned above.
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