Brazil plans to reinforce mining regulator

Brazil's mining regulator ANM will get 220 additional public servants, a move likely to help speed up permitting.

“The main purpose of [President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s] administration, in addition to valuing careers, is mainly to generate employment, income and national growth. And I turn to the mining sector to say that all the effort on our part has been made to create a virtuous circle so that Brazil can grow again,” mines and energy minister Alexandre Silveira said in a statement.

Sector players have asked the government to strengthen the ANM for months because several procedures were affected by delays, while employees called various strikes to demand higher salaries and more staff. 

However, the notice authorizing the hiring push will be published only during the next six months. Of the new hires, 180 will be mineral specialists and 40 administrative analysts.

ANM plays a key role in supervising mining operations and is evaluating sector fees and overseeing tax collection.