Mato Grosso mining sector formalization

Efforts to formalize and modernize the mining sector in Mato Grosso, Brazil, have progressed from specific traceability initiatives to broader legislative frameworks.

Initially, the Brazilian Institute of Gems and Precious Metals (IBGM) and Sebrae partnered to strengthen the mining production chain. This cooperation focused on the traceability and certification of gold, alongside the ‘Gold Without Mercury’ project, which seeks to replace mercury use with traceable metal processes in the Cuiabá Lowlands to improve transparency and sustainability.

Following these technical efforts, the state implemented Law No. 13.559/2026. This new state policy establishes guidelines for geology, mining, and mineral transformation to encourage research, attract investment, and promote the industrialization of mineral resources. The legislation aims to modernize small-scale mining and provide legal certainty through integrated governance. These developments coincide with broader calls for national reform to update Brazil’s 1967 Mining Code to better distinguish legal producers from irregular actors.