Prologue

Serra Pelada, Pará – Brazil

In the depths of the Amazon, amidst the lush jungle, rose one of the most remarkable symbols of ambition and the unbridled pursuit of wealth: Serra Pelada. Its hills concealed a treasure that ignited the greed of thousands around the world.

Serra Pelada wasn’t merely a gold mine but an unprecedented phenomenon in mining history. Discovered in the 1980s, it sparked a fever that swept through the region, drawing men from all corners of the country and beyond its borders.

The competition was fierce, and working conditions were inhumane. Deep and perilous excavations, the absence of basic infrastructure, and the constant threat of collapses and accidents kept the miners’ lives hanging in the balance. Yet, the allure of gold was irresistible, capable of pushing ordinary individuals beyond their physical and emotional limits.

The “human anthill” moniker was attributed to Serra Pelada due to the astonishing daily spectacle. Like determined ants, men scaled steep slopes in pursuit of the coveted metal. Their calloused hands and sweat-drenched bodies bore testimony to the harsh reality faced by those daring enough to venture into that hostile terrain.

As Serra Pelada became a landmark in mining history, it also became a stage for captivating and intricate tales. The mountain of gold harbored dreams, disappointments, loves, and tragedies. It was an intense and vibrant microcosm where the gleam of gold overshadowed sanity and morality. Distinctive characters emerged. Their stories intertwined in a tapestry of ambition, greed, and unspoken desires.

Get ready to plunge into the captivating universe of Serra Pelada, where dreams are forged in hard rock, ambitions are tested to their limits, and secrets whispered in the depths of the earth beg to be unveiled. In this ceaseless pursuit of gold, true riches may not only lie in gleaming nuggets but also in the lessons learned and the transformations that resonate within the hearts of the intrepid characters who venture into this human anthill.