Final answer:
The author's purpose is to inform and describe the significance and impacts of gold mining throughout history, including environmental and economic aspects.
Step-by-step explanation:
The author's purpose in the provided text appears to be to inform and describe the historical and current significance of gold mining in various regions and its impacts. The text details the history of gold discovered in the Amazon and its extraction without modern equipment despite the presence of rich gold deposits. It also touches upon the environmental consequences of gold mining and the allure it has held over time. Furthermore, it relates the economic role of gold in the development and industrialization of regions. The text does not only inform the reader about the process and history of gold mining but also sheds light on the impact of this activity on local communities and the environment.