AM deputies defend undertaking in potassium mine in AM

economic matrix

To Em Tempo, parliamentarians from the Amazonas bench defended the activity in the region. On the other hand, MPF and Federal Justice are analyzing the project, close to the Mura indigenous community, with more caution

Manaus (AM) – The municipality of Autazes, 111 kilometers from the Amazonian capital, is home to a significant amount of potassium. As it is one of the main fertilizers used in the agricultural sector, the exploitation of ore has been the center of a grandiose economic project for the region. In Planalto, the Lula government is discussing the issue internally: while the Ministry of Agriculture is favorable, other ministries highlight negative points for the environment.

To Em Tempo, parliamentarians from the Amazonas bench defended the activity in the region. On the other hand, after the judicial inspection, carried out on March 29, 2022 in the Soares/ Urucurituba Indigenous Land in Autazes, the Federal Public Ministry (MPF) identified strong indications of Mura indigenous people being coerced into selling their lands to companies interested in the deposits.

“Such pressure, according to reports from residents, generated food insecurity by preventing access to traditional swiddens and hunting and fishing areas in the middle of the pandemic. In this scenario, the MPF has been adopting the judicially appropriate measures to seek to guarantee the rights of the Mura people in the region”,

said the MPF in a note to Em Tempo.

According to the Environmental Impact Study and Environmental Impact Report (EIA/Rima), a mandatory document required for any enterprise with an environmental impact, the activity was classified as “exceptional”. Eight kilometers from the Mura land, where around 12,000 indigenous people live, the activity at the potash mine would have “very high interference in the socio-spatial and cultural references in the traditional and indigenous communities of the region”.

The MPF filed a request with the Federal Court to suspend the enterprise licensed by Ipaam and other possible research and exploration activities licensed by environmental agencies. In January 2023, the decision of the Federal Court of Manaus, handed down by Judge Jaiza Fraxe, determined that the Union and the National Indian Foundation (FunaI) should manifest themselves on activities in the region.

The court’s decision came in the conduct of the Lula government. The Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Flávio, has already indicated that he is in favor of exploiting potassium in the municipality of Autazes, as he understands that with this activity, Brazil would be less dependent on imports of the ore. Brazil annually spends around R$ 72 billion on imported fertilizers. Regarding potassium, the import percentage is 95%, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Mapa).

Potassium investment

To Em Tempo, first-term federal deputy Saullo Vianna (União Brasil) stated that the company Potássio Brasil has already completed the environmental impact surveys in the region and sent the document to Ipaam. At this time, the company is waiting for the Federal Government’s response to the environmental exploration license.

The deputy pointed out that he defends the sustainable exploitation of potassium in the municipality of Autazes. He also intends to seek a dialogue with the Minister of Agriculture Carlos Fávaro and the Federal Government, “so that the process of exploiting potassium in Autazes, in a sustainable way, obeying Brazilian environmental and socially fair legislation, goes ahead”.

“For you to understand, this project can take Brazil out of the second position as the largest importer of this important fertilizer for one of the largest exporters in the world, in addition to strengthening the economy of Amazonas and generating more than 1,300 direct jobs”,

he said.

When asked about how he will act in relation to the exploitation of potassium, federal deputy Fausto Jr (União Brasil) told Em Tempo that he will take the current issues surrounding the project to the National Congress. “everything I saw up close and the importance of exploration for the country”.

“During my tenure as state deputy, I have been to Autazes several times, a municipality that has the largest potassium reserve in Brazil, capable of meeting 25% of the country’s consumption, and I continue to monitor activities in the region, in addition to the municipalities of Itacoatiara, Nova Olinda do Norte, Silves, Nhamundá, Itapiranga and São Sebastião do Uatumã”,

stated.

The deputy also pointed out that he is in favor of exploiting the deposit along with environmental care. At the same time, he also argues that loosening and updating environmental legislation is one of his guidelines.

“It is a solution for us to bring more development to Amazonas, through resources and job creation. Brazil is the world’s largest importer of potash, with more than 10.45 million tons purchased per year. It is a market that moves BRL 40 billion a year, and Amazonas could and should get a share of this market, generating jobs and income in the countryside.

Deputy Plínio Valério (PSDB) informed Em Tempo that he has been talking with judge Jaiza Fraxe about the release of Justice in the exploration of potash in Autazes. For him, the venture for potassium is of fundamental importance for the Amazon.

“Because studies say that [com a extração de potássio em Autazes] that would be more than 25,000 new jobs for Brazil, which imports potassium. [Hoje] everything comes from Russia and Ukraine. We would have to supply the market not 100%, but it would certainly relieve the producers a lot there”

scored.

economic expectation

According to economist Mourão Júnior, the exploitation of potassium reserves in Autazes would serve around 90% of the national market, and would be a great source of income for the municipality and for Amazonas.

Faced with a possible pension reform, which could define the future of the Free Zone of Manaus (ZFM), the economist highlighted the need for Amazonas to seek new economic alternatives.

“The issue of potash would be one of the solutions, not only potash but ore in general. Nor can we leave aside the environmental aspects. In my view, it could be seen in an environmental way so that this ore can be used and develop the interior of the Amazon”, he explained.

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