The Federal Public Ministry (MPF) of Brazil has highlighted a pressing issue concerning over a thousand clandestine runways utilized for illegal mining in the Amazon, particularly in the state of Amazonas which remains inadequately protected. The MPF is advocating for urgent judicial action to establish a comprehensive plan to combat these irregular airstrips, which facilitate the transport of machinery deeper into the rainforest. The observation stresses the critical need for increased enforcement and oversight to protect the invaluable Amazon ecosystem from illegal activities.

In September 2025, the MPF initiated a civil public action aimed at identifying and closing down these clandestine airstrips in Western Amazonia. This legal action includes several defendants, namely the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC), the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), along with federal and state environmental agencies. The enactment of stringent monitoring measures aims to curtail the rampant illegal mining activities that pose a significant threat to biodiversity and indigenous territories.

The MPF's report indicates that most regulatory efforts have been concentrated in Roraima, particularly in the Yanomami Indigenous Land, while the Amazonas state faces a glaring oversight gap. This discrepancy highlights the urgent need for a balanced enforcement approach across all regions affected by illegal mining, emphasizing the shared responsibility of various environmental bodies in protecting the Amazon and ensuring sustainable practices within its vast expanse.