The concession attests to the company's commitment to sustainable mining in the Amazon
Last week, after holding public hearings, forums and dialogs with stakeholders, including directly interfacing communities, Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN) obtained the Preliminary License (LP) from the Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama) for the New Mines Project (PNM), an operational continuity project in the western region of Pará State. The concession reinforces the company's commitment to sustainable mining practices in the Amazon and its ongoing involvement with local communities, as well as attesting to the excellence of its operations.
The approval of the PL and the future completion of the project's licensing phase will allow MRN to make investments amounting to R$ 5 billion over the next five years, extending the mine's service life by another 15 years, from 2027 to 2042 while adding more sustainability to the aluminum chain, which is used on a large scale for essential segments such as energy, transport, construction, packaging, among others. The PNM will enable bauxite mining on five new plateaus: Rebolado, Escalante, Jamari, Barone and Cruz Alta Leste, covering the municipalities of Oriximiná, Terra Santa and Faro.
The project will be essential for the company to continue its average production of 12.5 million tons of bauxite per year. “The New Mines Project represents a significant step for MRN and for the region. With this investment, we can continue to supply high quality bauxite, while promoting sustainability and local development. Something that is non-negotiable for everyone who is part of the company,” said Leonardo Paiva, MRN's Project Implementation Director.
MRN's Sustainability and Legal Director, Vladimir Moreira, commented on the importance of the Preliminary License. “The granting of this license demonstrates the regulatory agencies' recognition of our dedication to sustainable mining in the Amazon. In addition to building a legacy for the region, we intend to promote practices that are increasingly aligned with good corporate, environmental and social governance.”
Background
The process for the PNM's Preliminary License began with MRN's request for environmental licensing to the project and an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) prepared by an independent consultancy. As part of the licensing process, public hearings were held in the three municipalities at the interface of the PNM, in order to have a broad hearing on the project, clarifying doubts and collecting suggestions from participants. The Quilombola Component Study (ECQ) was also produced, which assessed the environmental and socio-territorial impacts for the communities of Boa Vista and Alto Trombetas II.
All these steps were analyzed by Ibama, the licensing agency for the project, and by the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (INCRA), the intervening agency responsible for approving the ECQ. To make this study a reality, Free, Prior and Informed Consultation was carried out along the lines of Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization (ILO) as part of the licensing process in Brazil. The ECQ enabled social dialog and active listening in the quilombola territories at the interface of the PNM, thus assuring the broad participation of the communities in the project and in the identification of its impacts.
According to Guido Germani, MRN's CEO, the PNM is essential for the company to continue operating and for thousands of jobs to be maintained. “Furthermore, we will be able to continue investing in biodiversity conservation projects in the region, as well as in numerous socio-economic and corporate social responsibility actions in partnership with neighboring municipalities and communities. We celebrate this milestone of the PNM Preliminary License and we will continue with the other licensing stages with the competent bodies, respecting sustainability and the history of each one of us who make up MRN,” he said.
Following Ibama's issuance of the PL, MRN is now moving on to a new stage, which consists of drafting the Environmental Management Plan (PGA) and the Quilombola Basic Plan (PBAQ) with the communities of the Boa Vista and Alto Trombetas II Territories, which seeks to prevent, mitigate and compensate for the impacts identified in the Quilombola Component Study. The construction and validation of the PGA and PBAQ will be essential for obtaining the Installation License, the timetable for which is scheduled for early 2025.