Brazil extends public consultation for 2050 mining plan

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government is extending a public consultation designed to help prepare a long-term plan through 2050 to establish guidelines for developing the country's mining industry.

The public consultation will now take place until February 18.

"The [national mining plan] PNM 2050 comprises the strategic agenda for the sector and sets guidelines that will establish public policies for the sustainable development of the mining sector in 2023-50. The plan is based on three pillars: the use of mineral resources, competitiveness and sustainability," the mines and energy ministry said in a statement. 

"The PNM will be revised every five years to address changes in the situation that may alter the prospects for the development of Brazilian mining. The objective is to improve public action to achieve effective results, bring innovation to the definition of strategies for monitoring and evaluating the sector's planning instruments," it added.

Since taking office on January 1, Lula has said that he wants his administration to focus on policies related to sustainability. 

This message has been interpreted by companies in the mining sector as the government intending to focus on the development of mining activity related to materials required for the energy transition, stricter environmental permitting policies for mining projects and greater action against illegal mining.

ILLEGAL MINING 

The fight against illegal mining operations, which are mostly focused on gold production, looks likely to gain traction under Lula's administration.

Over the weekend, Lula and some of his ministers visited Boa Vista, capital of Roraima state, which is currently facing a health crisis in Yanomami indigenous territory due to reports of malnutrition and high malaria rates. 

In a televised interview, Lula said that he would step up efforts against illegal mining in the region, which has resulted in the pollution of rivers in the region and scared off wildlife, impacting the living conditions of the indigenous people.

Former president Jair Bolsonaro was criticized during his term for weakening indigenous support bodies and for paving the way for illegal mining to move into indigenous territories.