According to a report in Bnamericas, Brazil's National Department of Mineral Production (DNPM) has taken further steps in it's war against illegal mining in the country's Amazon Region. On July 25th, the DNPM launched a new offensive, a high-tech radar system, Sivam, which uses infrared and heat sensors to detect movements of objects as small as three meters long.

Under the terms of a technical and scientific accord between the coordinating committee of Sivam and DNPM, Sivam is to supply environmental, meteorological and climatological information, as well as assist in development plans for the region.