{"id":4461,"date":"2025-06-02T17:40:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-02T17:40:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/?p=4461"},"modified":"2025-11-14T22:52:38","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T22:52:38","slug":"amazon-suction-mining-for-gold-kills-rainforests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/wrigley\/2025\/06\/02\/amazon-suction-mining-for-gold-kills-rainforests\/","title":{"rendered":"Why forests aren’t coming back near Amazon gold mines"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n\n<\/div>\n \n
\n \n
\n\n \n A post-mining landscape in the Peruvian Amazon. Small, often family-owned, operations are using a technique called suction mining to blast apart sections of the Amazon in search of gold. The method leaves behind muddy ponds and scorched sand hills where trees can’t regrow. (Photo: iStock)\n\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Why forests aren’t coming back near Amazon gold mines<\/h1>\n\n\n<\/div>\n \n \n \n June 2, 2025<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n
\n \n \n Share\n <\/span>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Copy Link<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Facebook<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n\n<\/svg>\n\n <\/span>\n X<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n LinkedIn<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Bluesky<\/span>\n <\/a>\n \n \n <\/svg>\n <\/span>\n Email<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/div><\/div>\n \n\n\n\n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n\n \n \n
\n\n \n

Original story by Ileana Wachtel<\/em><\/p>\n

Forests in the Peruvian Amazon aren\u2019t growing back after gold mining \u2014 not just because the soil is damaged from toxic metals, but because the land has been depleted of its water. A common mining method known as suction mining reshapes the terrain in ways that drain moisture and trap heat, creating harsh conditions where even replanted seedlings can\u2019t survive.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0findings<\/a>, published in\u00a0Communications Earth & Environment<\/em>, revealed why reforestation efforts in the region have struggled. One of the study\u2019s co-authors is\u00a0Josh West<\/a>, professor of Earth sciences and environmental studies<\/a> at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve known that soil degradation slows forest recovery,\u201d said West, who is also a\u00a0National Geographic Explorer<\/a>. \u201cBut this is different. The mining process dries out the land, making it inhospitable for new trees.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

VIDEO: Josh West explains the life-giving role of water in the Amazon<\/h4>\n