Brazil court suspends mining licenses lacking legal mercury proof

A Brazilian Federal Court has ordered the suspension of gold mining licenses for operations that cannot prove the legal origin of the mercury they use. The decision, following a request by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), applies nationwide and targets the National Mining Agency (ANM) and state environmental agencies, such as SEDAM-RO.

Because Brazil does not produce mercury for mining or have current authorizations to import it for that purpose, the court noted that the supply is primarily driven by smuggling from Bolivia, Peru, and Guyana through fraudulent documentation. The ruling prohibits the granting or renewal of mining permits, such as 'Permissões de Lavra Garimpeira', unless miners provide proof of legal mercury origin and authorization from IBAMA.