File number: brhk0139

© South American Pictures/ Jevan Berrange

Brazil: Pará state: 1980's. Serra Pelada in northern Amazonia where gold was found in 1980 and created an unpredecented invasion of gold-diggers or garimpeiros from all parts of the country.  At its peak more than 100,000 prospectors were digging into the thick, slimy brown mud desperately hoping to make their fortunes. Few did. Within a decade the gold had run out, the best mined by a private company, and Serra Pelada was abandoned.