Socioeconomic cost of dredge boat gold mining in the Tapaj´os basin, eastern Amazon

The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for assessing the socio-environmental costs of dredge boat mining in the Tapaj´os watershed, using a method linking the type of gold mining, type of pump, motor power required, time spent in exploration, and mercury use with the average socioeconomic cost. The findings can contribute to a more accurate economic valuation of illegal dredge boat mining, providing valuable information for estimating compensation fines and planning law enforcement investments to prevent illegal ASGM.