House and Senate approve the MP that authorizes private participation in the exploitation of nuclear ores

On Wednesday (12/7), the Senate approved a provisional measure that authorizes private companies to operate in research, mining, and commercialization of nuclear ores. On the previous Wednesday (11/30), the House of Representatives had approved the same matter, which authorizes Indústrias Nucleares do Brasil (INB) – the state-owned company responsible for essential activities in the Brazilian nuclear sector – to provide services to national and foreign entities, public or private, and to sign contracts with companies.

The government’s argument when forwarding the proposal is that “INB’s budget limitations, added to the high uranium prices on the international market, have created difficulties that may be faced by encouraging private initiative participation in nuclear ore research and mining, in partnership with the state-owned company”. The text makes modifications to a provisional measure on the subject and foresees that the National Mining Agency (ANM) will be responsible for regulating and inspecting nuclear ore research and mining activities in the country – today, the competence lies with the National Authority for Nuclear Safety (ANSN). 

The proposal was criticized by some members of the opposition to the current government, such as the PSOL, the Rede, and the PCdoB. “The project is clearly unconstitutional, because it is obvious that the exploration of this type of ore is the prerogative of the State, as it is in the Federal Constitution. It hurts sovereignty”, said deputy Fernanda Melchionna (PSOL-RS) during the House session.

The matter now follows to the president for its approval.