Brazil's Chamber Approves Urgent Bill to Revise Mining Rules

On 3 June, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies voted to grant urgency to Project Law 957/24, allowing the measure to be debated and voted on in plenary without the usual committee review. The bill seeks to modernise the 1967 Mining Code by transferring authorization, concession and permit powers to the Agência Nacional de Mineração (ANM), expanding the definition of small‑scale mining, and creating a “social auction” for low‑volume mineral areas aimed at cooperatives of garimpeiros.

Proponents argue the reforms will cut bureaucratic costs and boost the competitiveness of Brazil’s mineral exports. Deputy Filipe Barros said the current system “interferes directly with the competitiveness of Brazilian mineral products abroad.” Critics, however, warn the changes could weaken environmental oversight and facilitate illegal mining. Deputy Erika Kokay warned that the project "legalises mining without rules" and recalled the disaster in the Yanomami territory caused by unregulated mining. Deputy Joaquim Passarinho, the bill’s rapporteur, countered that "no environmental requirement is being changed," emphasizing the focus on reducing red tape.

If passed, the legislation would also obligate concessionaires to provide financial guarantees for mine closure and allow certain mineral research to proceed without environmental licensing when impacts are deemed insignificant.