Workers of Brazil's mining regulator threaten strike

Staff at Brazilian mining regulator ANM threatened to strike due to what they say are bad working conditions and a lack of funds.

A spokesperson for union Sinagências told BNamericas that not even minimum conditions are in place to operate. By law, ANM must employ 2,121 professionals, but current headcount is only 664, of which 34 are tasked with inspecting the country’s 928 tailings dams. 

ANM was created in 2017, replacing mining department DNPM, which did not have regulatory powers.

"I am completing four months as head of ANM and the conditions are really difficult. We need to look more closely at the current scenario," Mauro Sousa said during a hearing in congress.

Staff complain that local governments divert resources raised via mining tax CFEM, even though these funds are for the regulator.

Mining companies have been demanding a stronger and more efficient ANM for years to speed up permit decision making, among others.