A Discovery That Changed Everything
In 1979, a farmer in Pará, Brazil, discovered a gold nugget in Serra Pelada. News spread quickly, and within months, tens of thousands of prospectors, known as garimpeiros, rushed to the site, transforming it into one of the world’s most chaotic gold mines.
A Massive Open-Pit Operation
Serra Pelada became a gigantic open-pit mine, where miners dug by hand. At its peak, over 100,000 people, including men, women, and children, worked in extreme conditions, hauling sacks of dirt up steep cliffs in search of gold.
Lawlessness and Fortunes Won and Lost
The mine operated under brutal conditions. Gold discoveries led to violent conflicts, and powerful groups controlled access. Some garimpeiros struck gold and became wealthy overnight, while many left with nothing after months of dangerous labor.
The End of an Era
By the late 1980s, the mine was largely depleted, and operations were shut down. Today, Serra Pelada remains a flooded crater, a reminder of Brazil’s largest gold rush, where thousands risked everything for a chance at fortune in the depths of the earth.
In 1979, a farmer in Pará, Brazil, discovered a gold nugget in Serra Pelada. News spread quickly, and within months, tens of thousands of prospectors, known as garimpeiros, rushed to the site, transforming it into one of the world’s most chaotic gold mines…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/r47ByHuqOq
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) February 12, 2025