Fernão Dias Pais Leme

…Gerais was first explored by Fernão Dias Pais Leme between 1664 and 1677, though he was not the first European to enter the area. The discovery of gold in 1692–95 by bands of adventurers from the São Paulo settlements led to a mad rush for the new mines. Minas Gerais…

…of which was led by Fernão Dias Pais Leme, netted large profits in slaves and wreaked great injury on the Indians.