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Smoke Signal's report on mining is featured in more than 350 vehicles and generates debate and hearings in the House of Representatives and in the Senate

Public hearing in the House of Representatives debates the findings of the report “Pure Dynamite”

Credit: Reproduction

10 May 23

Smoke Signal’s report on mining is featured in more than 350 vehicles and generates debate and hearings in the House of Representatives and in the Senate

The report  Pure Dynamite: how Bolsonaro’s Government (2019-2022) Mineral Policy Set Up a Climate and Anti-Indigenous Bomb released on March 27 by the Mining Observatory and Smoke Signal, has been generating debate and resulted in public hearings in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The document, which analyzed the Brazilian mineral policy during the Bolsonaro government, pointed out the existence of illegal favoring to the mining industry, and called into into question the system of self-licensing and mineral exploration in indigenous lands.

The report was featured in more than 350 media outlets, including Agência Brasil, TV Brasil and Miriam Leitão’s column in O Globo, generating reactions from both environmentalists and the mining industry.

On Thursday, April 27, the House of Representatives held a public hearing on the report’s findings, stocking the debate on the Brazilian mineral policies. Participating in the hearing were Daniel Pollack, Superintendent of Revenue at the National Mining Agency (ANM), Maurício Ângelo, Founder and Director of the Mining Observatory, and Rebeca Lerer, founder and coordinator of Smoke Signal.

“There has been a shock indoctrination, with fake news and disinformation, in addition to deregulation (of legislation), equipping of social control institutions, demobilization of control bodies, and criminalization of social movements. We saw a mix of tactics to advance a predatory land use agenda, whether for mining or agriculture, which resulted in increased violence and deforestation,” said Lerer.

The hearing participants contributed with questions about the situation of miners, the proper destination of CFEM (Financial Compensation for Mineral Exploration) resources in the municipalities, and the impossibility of pointing an example of “sustainable mining”. You can watch the public hearing on Youtube.

On Wednesday, May 10, the Federal Senate hosted a debate on the “Pure Dynamite” report and examined the 4 years of climate and anti-indigenous activities carried out by the government of Jair Bolsonaro. The event was attended by several experts, including Maurício Angelo of the Mining Observatory, André Elias Marques, Ombudsman of the National Mining Agency, and Suely Araújo, former president of Ibama and senior public policy specialist at the Climate Observatory, as well as the remote participation of Rebeca Lerer, coordinator of Smoke Signal, and Juliana de Paula Batista. representing the Socio-environmental Institute (SISA).

The main focus of the debate was “mineral denialism” and self-licensing in the mining sector on indigenous lands. In addition, it was discussed that mining represents only about 1% of Brazilian GDP, consumes 11% of electricity, and employs only 200,000 people, many of them in high-risk, outsourced activities. Environmental licensing was another highlight, with pressure from mining companies and industry to include mining in the Licensing Law (PL 3729). The influence that mining companies have on the licensing process was seen as a problem, as they have encouraged dams in an imminent state of disruption throughout the country. The full debate is available on the Senate website.

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Supreme Courts suspends 'presumption of good faith' in gold market to curb illegal trafficking

Areas of illegal gold mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land seen in an overflight along the Mucajaí river, February 2023.

Credit: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil

3 May 23

Supreme Courts suspends ‘presumption of good faith’ in gold market to curb illegal trafficking

The Federal Supreme Court (STF) unanimously suspended the legal provision that established the “presumption of good faith” in the gold market. This instrument allowed gold to be traded in Brazil only based on the sellers’ information about the origin of the product. The court decided to follow the individual decision issued by justice Gilmar Mendes on April 4th.

The measure was considered by the Court as one of the main legal loopholes for laundering gold extracted from indigenous lands and environmental reserves. It is expected that the decision will make illegal gold trafficking more difficult and protect the environment and indigenous people.

 

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Attack in Yanomami Indigenous Territory leaves one dead and two wounded; government promises to intensify action

Flight records illegal mining areas inside the Yanomami Indigenous Land, in Roraima, in April 2021.

Credit: Reproduction

1 May 23

Attack in Yanomami Indigenous Territory leaves one dead and two wounded; government promises to intensify action

An attack in the community of Uxiú on Yanomami indigenous land resulted in the death of a Yanomami health agent, in addition to leaving two other indigenous people injured. The Hutukura Yanomami Association (HAY) and the Texoli Ninam Association of the State of Roraima (Taner) said that the attack occurred during a funeral ceremony, and that it was allegedly carried out by illegal miners from a boat with six people on the Mucajaí river.

After the tragedy, the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change (MMA), Marina Silva, stated in a press conference that the actions in Yanomami territory will be intensified. According to the minister, between 75% and 80% of the miners have already been removed from the Yanomami Indigenous Territory, and several mines have been deactivated. However, the task is far from being completed. The actions will be reinforced with the support of the Armed Forces and with the reinforcement of teams from Ibama and the Federal Police (PF).

“We were very sad to learn of the shooting attack by miners against three Yanomami, one of whom died and the other two are being treated in a serious condition. An inter-ministerial committee is on its way to Roraima to further reinforce the actions to find the criminals,” said the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara.

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Indigenous peoples conquer the new six territories and consolidate public policies during Free Land Camp

Marcha declarou emergência climática durante o Acampamento Terra Livre

Crédito: Pedro Ribeiro Nogueira/Escola de Ativismo

28 Apr 23

Indigenous peoples conquer the new six territories and consolidate public policies during Free Land Camp

The 19th Acampamento Terra Livre [Free Land Camp] (ATL) ended on April 26th with a series of major achievements for the indigenous peoples in Brazil. On the last day of the event, attended by more than 6,000 indigenous people from all over the country, President Lula together with the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, announced the approval of several important policies, including: the ratification of six new indigenous lands, totaling more than 1.5 million hectares; the creation of a new federal agency to protect indigenous lands and resources; and the allocation of $1 billion in funding for indigenous health and education.

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Indigennous leader Alessandra Korap wins Goldman Award

Alessandra Korap is one of the winners of the Goldman Prize 2023

Crédito: Goldman Environmental Prize/Divulgação

25 Apr 23

Indigennous leader Alessandra Korap wins Goldman Award

Alessandra Korap Munduruku has won the 2023 Goldman Environmental Prize, the “green Nobel,” for her work defending the environment in the Tapajós river basin in the state of Pará. Korap, who leads the Pariri Indigenous Association that supports local communities, has worked to prevent large mining companies, such as Anglo American and Vale, from exploiting undemarcated indigenous lands. She has faced several attacks and death threats, but endures as a significant figure in the fight against the destruction of forests and rivers.

The Goldman Environmental Prize has been awarded to only three other Brazilians since 1989: Carlos Alberto Ricardo (1992), Marina Silva (1996), and Tarcísio Feitosa da Silva (2006).

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BBC

US announces R$ 2.5 billion donation to the Amazon Fund

President Lula meets with US President Joe Biden

Credit: Ricardo Stuckert/PR

24 Apr 23

US announces R$ 2.5 billion donation to the Amazon Fund

The United States announced on April 23th that it will donate R$2.5 billion to the Amazon Fund, a multi-donor fund that supports sustainable development and climate action in the Amazon Rainforest. The donation is the largest single contribution to the fund and comes at a time when the Amazon faces unprecedented threats from deforestation, climate change, and fires.

The U.S. donation will be used to support a variety of projects in the Amazon, including: reducing deforestation and forest degradation; protecting indigenous peoples and their rights; promoting sustainable development; and fighting climate change.

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Forest fires rates drop in the first two months of 2023, but Amazon accounts for 90% of them, study says

There was a reduction of 213 thousand hectares of land burned in the period

Credit: Edilson Rodrigues/Agência Senado

19 Apr 23

Forest fires rates drop in the first two months of 2023, but Amazon accounts for 90% of them, study says

The number of fire spots in Brazil fell 28% in the first two months of this year in relation to the same period in 2022, according to data from the Fire Monitor, of MapBiomas. 90% of the fires occurred in the Amazon, which represents 487,000 hectares. Roraima was the state that registered the most fires, accounting for 48% of the total, followed by Mato Grosso and Pará. The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) registered more hot spots in the first quarter of this year in the Amazon than in 2022, but below the historical average.

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Bolsonaro spent only 0.16% of the Union's budget on the Environment

Former President Jair Bolsonaro, at a public event in December 2020

Credit: Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom/Agência Brasil

18 Apr 23

Bolsonaro spent only 0.16% of the Union’s budget on the Environment

In an exclusive report by the Institute for Socioeconomic Studies (Inesc) for O Eco, it was found that throughout his mandate, Jair Bolsonaro has allocated only 0.16% of the total federal budget to the environment. This number refers to the average of the four years of his government, considering the mandatory and discretionary expenses of the executive branch. The report, entitled “After the Dismantling: Overview of Union Spending 2019-2022,” shows that the environmental area had a real loss of 17% in execution during the Bolsonaro administration, going from R$3.3 billion in 2019 to R$2.7 billion in 2022.

The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) was the most affected organization, with a real drop of 32% over four years, falling from R$1.8 billion in 2019 to R$744 million in 2022. The Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) also had an 8% reduction in its budget, going from R$1.8 billion to R$1.7 billion during the Bolsonaro administration. Inesc’s report highlights that the reduced budget was further exacerbated by staff reductions, with the number of environmental inspectors falling from 1,800 in 2019 to 700 in 2022.

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Indigenous people were the main victims of conflicts in the rural region in 2022

Relatório da Comissão Pastoral da Terra mostra que o ano de 2022 foi marcado pelo elevado crescimento nos dados sobre violência contra a pessoa em decorrência de conflitos no campo.

Crédito: Fernando Frazão/Agência Brasil

17 Apr 23

Indigenous people were the main victims of conflicts in the rural region in 2022

Almost 40% of people killed in rural conflicts in 2022 were indigenous, according to the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) in a report released on Monday (17). The year was marked by a significant increase in violence against individuals resulting from conflicts in rural areas. In all, 553 incidents were recorded, resulting in the deaths of 1,065 people, 50% more than in 2021 (368 incidents with 819 victims). Traditional peoples are the main victims in this scenario, which includes murders, assassination attempts, threats, assaults, torture and imprisonment.

In 2022, 38% of the 47 people killed in rural areas were indigenous people, totaling 18 cases. Next came landless workers (9), environmentalists (3), settlers (3), and wage workers (3). In addition, the deaths of indigenous rights activist Bruno Pereira and journalist Dom Phillips in Vale do Javari, Amazonas state, were added to the critical scenario of victims of rural conflicts in 2022. The number of murders resulting from rural conflicts last year represented an increase of 30.55% compared to 2021 (36 deaths) and 123% compared to the data recorded in 2020 (21 deaths).

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Lula reaffirms that Brazil will meet zero deforestation goal in the Amazon by 2030

Deforestation in the Amazon sky-rocketed during Bolsonaro administration

Credit: Nilmar Lage / Greenpeace

12 Apr 23

Lula reaffirms that Brazil will meet zero deforestation goal in the Amazon by 2030

During the ministerial meeting in which he presented the results of the first 100 days of government, President Lula said that Brazil will meet the goal of zero deforestation in the Amazon by 2030 and that the federal government will fight devastation in all Brazilian biomes. The commitment to zero deforestation in the Amazon was made by Lula during his presidential campaign last year and reaffirmed at his inauguration ceremony in January. However, the president warned that the task will not be easy, since the country’s environmental policy was dismantled during the four years of the previous government.

Since mid-January, the federal government has resumed operations to inspect and fight deforestation in the Amazon, resulting in a 219% increase in the number of fines for deforestation and other infractions in the Amazon region in the first quarter, compared to the average of the previous four years. The intensification of the fight against the devastation of the Amazon forest brought an 11% drop in deforestation in the region in the first quarter of this year, compared to 2022, but experts point out that more rigorous enforcement and fewer concessions to agribusiness are still needed to meet the goal of zero deforestation by 2030.

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Plan to achieve "zero deforestation" is presented by Lula administration

The new PPCDAm aims at curbing illegal gold mining

Credit: Amapá State Government

12 Apr 23

Plan to achieve “zero deforestation” is presented by Lula administration

The federal government has placed on public consultation the fifth phase of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon (PPCDAm), created in the first Lula administration (2002-2006), which aims to stimulate the sustainable development of the Amazon. For the first time, the plan proposes to fight illegal mining, which is causing a humanitarian crisis in the Yanomami Indigenous Land and threatening dozens of other indigenous territories. Another proposal is to strengthen credit for sustainable activities and veto it for irregular producers.

The Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Deforestation in the Legal Amazon was shelved by the administration of Jair Bolsonaro, who centralized the responsibility for the forest in the Amazon Council headed by Hamilton Mourão, then Vice-President. The PPCDAm was responsible for reducing deforestation in the Amazon by 83% between 2004 and 2012. The current plan has the goal of zero illegal deforestation by 2030 and the new text can receive suggestions from people or organizations until April 26th.

 

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Study says that 75% of the deforestation under Bolsonaro is likely to be illegal

Deforested area in the Amazon

Credit: Alberto César Araújo/Amazônia Real

11 Apr 23

Study says that 75% of the deforestation under Bolsonaro is likely to be illegal

A study by the MapBiomas project reveals that 75% of the deforestation that occurred in Brazil since 2019, during the government of Jair Bolsonaro, had evidence of illegality. According to the study, most cases (58%) occurred in areas that should be protected by law, such as reserves and permanent preservation areas.

The data indicate an increase in environmental degradation, since the rate of illegal deforestation was about 60% in the previous administration, of Michel Temer. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that the Amazon region concentrated 73% of illegal deforestation in the analyzed period, with illegal logging being the main activity associated with deforestation. The study reinforces the importance of strengthening public policies for environmental protection to prevent the continued degradation of the environment in the country.

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Extreme Weather: heavy rains affect 35 thousand families in Maranhão

More than 35,000 families in 64 municipalities are homeless in Maranhão

Credit: Maranhão State Government

11 Apr 23

Extreme Weather: heavy rains affect 35 thousand families in Maranhão

The heavy rains that struck the state of Maranhão in recent weeks have affected more than 35,000 families in 64 municipalities, resulting in six deaths. The situation led the state and federal governments to declare a situation of emergency. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was in the state on Sunday (9), accompanied by Governor Carlos Brandão and a federal entourage, to visit areas affected by the floods and promised resources to help the affected families.

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Parliamentary inquiry about NGOs worries civil society with fears of persecution

A Brazilian Senate in session

Credit: Marcos Oliveira/Agência Senado

10 Apr 23

Parliamentary inquiry about NGOs worries civil society with fears of persecution

Opposition senators celebrated the reading of the request for the establishment of the CPI [Parliamentary Inquire Comissions] of NGOs in the Federal Senate this week. The collegiate will be responsible for investigating the actions of non-governmental organizations operating in the Amazon, with investigative powers similar to those of judicial authorities. The expectation is that the CPI will be used to persecute and criminalize the actions of civil society, as was done in an institutional manner by the Bolsonaro government.

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Government announces new strategic investment program with energy transition axis

Investment in wind energy is expected

Credit: Neoenergia

10 Apr 23

Government announces new strategic investment program with energy transition axis

During a speech on the 100 days of the government, President Lula said that the proposal includes transportation, social infrastructure, digital inclusion and connectivity, urban infrastructure, water for all, and energy transition. Among the planned measures are the holding of auctions for contracting solar and wind energy, the expansion of Transpetro’s fleet of ships, and the resumption of Petrobras’ leading role in investments.

 

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Fines for environmental crimes in the Amazon increase 200% in three months

Deforested areas close to the Mura indigenous land

Credit: Alberto César Araújo/Amazônia Real

8 Apr 23

Fines for environmental crimes in the Amazon increase 200% in three months

According to Ibama data, the number of fines for deforestation and other infractions in the Amazon region increased more than 200% in the first quarter of this year, compared to the average for the same period in the years 2019 to 2022. The seizures of goods and products related to environmental infractions rose 133%, while the number of property embargoes grew 93% in the same period.

In operations against invaders of the Yanomami indigenous territory, Ibama destroyed 285 miners’ camps, eight aircraft, 23 boats, three tractors and more than 100 engines, in addition to having seized 21 thousand liters of fuel and logistical support equipment for illegal mining. In Brazil as a whole, Ibama’s environmental notifications increased 78% from January to March this year, in comparison to the same period in the four previous years.

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Deforestation in the first trimester sets a record in the Cerrado and has the second worst rate in the Amazon

Studies estimate that river flow in the Cerrado biome will drop 34% by 2050 because of deforestation

Credit: José Cícero/Agência Pública

7 Apr 23

Deforestation in the first trimester sets a record in the Cerrado and has the second worst rate in the Amazon

Deforestation in the Brazilian Cerrado biome reached the highest value ever recorded for the first quarter of the year since the beginning of the historical series, in 2015, according to data from the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe). The biome lost 909 km² of native vegetation between January and March 2023, an increase of 24% compared to the same period last year. In the Amazon, deforestation in the first quarter was also alarming, with 1,545 km², the second worst rate for the period since 2015.

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Supreeme Court justice suspends 'good faith' to certify origin of gold sold in Brazil

Federal Police operation fighting illegal gold mining

Credit: Federal Police/Handout

5 Apr 23

Supreeme Court justice suspends ‘good faith’ to certify origin of gold sold in Brazil

The justice of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), Gilmar Mendes, suspended a section of Law 12,844/2013 that provides for the presumed legality of gold sold in Brazil, as well as the “good faith” of buyers of the metal. The decision was made after a request made by the Green Party (PV) in a direct action of unconstitutionality, arguing that the rule makes private monitoring unfeasible by disempowering the buyer and encouraging the illegal market. In addition to suspending the section of the law that deals with the matter, the justice gave the federal government 90 days to adopt a new regulatory framework for monitoring the gold trade.

The decision by Gilmar Mendes took into account the manifestation of various supervisory agencies of the gold trade in Brazil, such as the National Mining Agency (ANM) and the Central Bank (BC). The magistrate granted the injunction after the Attorney General of the Republic, Augusto Aras, expressed himself for the overturning of the rule that provided for the presumed legality of gold and the good faith of buyers. The minister justified the urgency of the injunction in view of the environmental and humanitarian damage and the increase in generalized criminality caused by illegal mining. The decision will be submitted to the referendum of the STF plenary in virtual plenary as soon as possible.

Illegal mining rates drop but invasion continues in Yanomami Indigenous Land

Yanomami people were disproportionately affected by mining during the last government

Credit: Fernando Frazão / Agência Brasil

5 Apr 23

Illegal mining rates drop but invasion continues in Yanomami Indigenous Land

The presence of environmental enforcement in the Yanomami Indigenous Land has had an effect on the reduction of illegal mining activity in the region of the Uraricoera river, one of the most targeted by miners. According to Agência Pública, the number of warnings of mining hotspots in this region has dropped by 88 percent since IBAMA set up an inspection base and blocked the passage of illegal vessels.

However, in the Yanomami territory as a whole, the drop in garimpo [illegal mining] has been less, at 60%, and 94 new garimpo points or extensions of existing mining areas have been identified since February 20. Furthermore, mining continues to be intense in more remote areas, benefiting from irregular air transport. Other criminal activities, such as the sexual abuse of young people and indigenous women by miners, also continue to occur on Yanomami land, states the report.

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Government requests withdrawal of bill that allows mining on indigenous lands

Indigenous activists protest against illegal gold digging

Credit: Mídia Ninja

31 Mar 23

Government requests withdrawal of bill that allows mining on indigenous lands

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sent a message to the National Congress requesting the withdrawal of a bill (PL) that would allow mining on indigenous lands. Bill No. 191/2020, presented by former president Jair Bolsonaro in February 2020, was intended to regulate mining, tourism, ranching, and exploitation of water resources, oil, and gas within indigenous lands. Although it had an urgency request approved in 2022, the text was not analyzed by the House of Representatives and has remained stalled. PL 191 was the focus of indigenous mobilizations in recent years and was baptized “Bill of Death”.

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