Brazil prosecutors, mining regulator boosting ties to deal with environmental liabilities

Brazilian mining regulator ANM and prosecutors collaborating in an attempt to reduce liabilities in the sector, mainly associated with environmental issues.

Representatives of the regulator and the prosecutor's office participated last week in the workshop Mining in Focus: Dialogue on Environmental Impacts held at the headquarters of the attorney general's office in Brasília, according to an ANM statement.

The meeting was aimed at aligning strategies for the prevention and combating of socio-environmental damage resulting from mining operations.

"This rapprochement is essential for building a relationship of trust and collaboration. We need to understand the various contexts that permeate the mining industry in the country. And the public ministry [prosector’s office] defends the most diverse interests of Brazilian society," said ANM head Mauro Henrique Sousa.

Environmental regulation in Brazil is considered quite strict for mining projects and there is constant litigation in the sector involving mining companies and prosecutors.

“We hope that the joint discussions will yield good results so we can improve our actions in preventing the environmental impacts caused by mining," said deputy chief prosecutor Luiza Frischeisen.