The French Foreign Legion routinely conducts patrols in the Amazonian rainforests of French Guiana to dismantle illicit gold mining operations. These missions, often carried out in challenging terrain with extreme weather conditions, target clandestine camps run by illegal prospectors—sometimes referred to as gold diggers—whose unregulated activities cause significant environmental damage. Beyond their military training, legionnaires must possess specialized knowledge of jungle warfare and survival techniques to navigate dense vegetation, swamps, and river systems while maintaining the element of surprise. Their effectiveness in suppressing illegal mining relies on close collaboration with local authorities, robust intelligence gathering, and strategic use of amphibious and aerial resources. As a result, the French Foreign Legion plays a pivotal role in safeguarding both national interests and the fragile ecological balance of one of the world’s most biodiverse regions.
