French Guiana is an overseas department of France located on the northeast coast of South America, primarily consisting of dense tropical rainforest that forms part of the Amazonian ecosystem. In 1986, a Jungle Training Center was established in eastern French Guiana, which has since become the French reference for survival and combat training in tropical rainforest environments. The camp is operated by the French Foreign Legion, and all military forces deployed in the region for security missions are required to undergo and successfully complete this rigorous training.
One of the key missions conducted in French Guiana is Opération Harpie, a joint operation between the French gendarmerie and armed forces aimed at combating illegal gold mining. French Guiana holds substantial gold deposits, and illegal, unregulated gold panning operations have significant environmental and social consequences. These illicit activities contribute to extensive deforestation, which disrupts local ecosystems, while the widespread use of mercury in gold extraction poses a severe threat to the health of both humans and wildlife in the region.
The primary objective of Opération Harpie is to dismantle the logistical networks supporting illegal gold mining, targeting not only the miners but also the suppliers of materials and equipment that enable these activities. The operation seeks to protect both the environment and the indigenous communities affected by the environmental degradation and health risks associated with illegal gold panning. By curbing these activities, Opération Harpie plays a crucial role in preserving the delicate balance of French Guiana’s ecosystems while safeguarding the well-being of its people.
French Guyana is an overseas department of France on the northeast coast of South America, composed mainly of dense tropical rainforest part of the Amazonian eco-system. In 1986 a Jungle Training Center was established in East Guiana which became the French reference in material of survival and jungle tropical forest combats. The camp is operated by the Foreign Legion and all forces deployed in Guyana for security missions will have to follow and pass the training. One of these missions is 'Opération Harpie', a French operation in Guyana carried out jointly by the gendarmerie forces and the armed forces to fight against illigal gold panning in French Guyana. Substantial gold deposits are present in French Guyana and illigal and un-controlled gold panning operations have a devastating impact on the environment and indigenous communities. Beside the coupled deforestation to gold panning, also the use of mercury directly impacts the health and survival of humans and fauna living in and near the jungle. Opération Harpie has as mandate to arrest and destroy the logistic chain involved in illigal gold panning. French Legion military camp in the tropical rainforest, part of the Amazonian ecosystem. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
The remains of an illigal goldmine and its devastating consequences on the environment. Amazon rainforest in Sparouine along the Maroni river in French Guyana along the border with Surinam, March 2022
Training camp of the foreign legion in the Amazon rainforest. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Training camp of the foreign legion in the Amazon rainforest. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
A French military part of 'Opération Harpie', established to fight illigal gold mining in French Guyana. Abandonned site of an illigal mining operation in the Amazon along the Surinam border. Maroni, French Guyana, March 2022
Bridge across the Orapu River in French Guyana, March 2022
Training camp of the foreign legion in the Amazon rainforest. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
The Orapu river crossing the tropical rainforest part of the Amazon ecosystem in French Guiana, March 2022
Training camp of the foreign legion in the Amazon rainforest. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
French Legion military camp in the tropical rainforest, part of the Amazonian ecosystem. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Regional military training camp in the Amazon organised for French and foreign allied military in jungle war fare. Many are Brazilian and Colombian and will be engaged in security operations across the Amazon against illigal gold mining and drug trafficking. Foreign Legion military camp, Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Brazilian officer participating in a regional military training camp in the Amazon organised for French and foreign allied military in jungle war fare. Many are Brazilian and Colombian and will be engaged in security operations across the Amazon against illigal gold mining and drug trafficking. Foreign Legion military camp, Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Training camp of the foreign legion in the Amazon rainforest. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Amazon rain forest in French Guyana, March 2022
Training camp of the foreign legion in the Amazon rainforest. Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Regional military training camp in the Amazon organised for French and foreign allied military in jungle war fare. Many are Brazilian and Colombian and will be engaged in security operations across the Amazon against illigal gold mining and drug trafficking. Foreign Legion military camp, Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
Regional military training camp in the Amazon organised for French and foreign allied military in jungle war fare. Many are Brazilian and Colombian and will be engaged in security operations across the Amazon against illigal gold mining and drug trafficking. Foreign Legion military camp, Regina, French Guyana, March 2022
