Ibama withdraws from license for gas in the Amazon – 09/07/2023 – Environment

Ibama (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) used a statement from the company that explores gas in a preserved region of the Amazon to withdraw from the project’s licensing processes.

Eneva, responsible for gas exploration in the so-called Campo Azulão, in Silves (AM) and Itapiranga (AM), completed a self-declaratory document and stated that the projects do not impact indigenous lands.

Ibama accepted what was stated by the company and said, in documents from the technical area, that it did not have competence for licensing.

The federal body’s demonstrations took place in June this year, the first of Lula’s (PT) current term. Licenses have been granted by Ipaam (Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute), a body linked to the state government.

Both Funai (National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples) and MPI (Ministry of Indigenous Peoples) requested, in letters sent to Eneva and Ipaam in August, the suspension of the licensing processes for gas and oil projects in the region, which is located less than 300 km from Manaus. The agencies highlighted impacts on indigenous people.

Traditional communities were ignored during the licensing and execution of projects, according to Funai. The MPI reported “a climate of distress and uncertainty in villages and communities, including the intensification of conflicts in the region, especially due to the advancement of licensing”.

Ibama did not respond to questions in the report.

In a statement, Eneva stated that there are no indigenous lands approved or under study in the area of ​​influence of the project. So-called indigenous component studies are required by law depending on the type of project. In the case of Complexo do Azulão, territories at least 10 km away must be taken into account, according to the company.

“The indigenous areas closest to the project, according to official information published on Funai’s website, are more than 30 km away”, says the note.

When defining the limits of the oil and gas exploration blocks, the ANP (National Agency for Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels) consulted on indigenous areas, according to Eneva. “Only after the non-existence was confirmed were the blocks put out to tender by the agency.”

Competence for the license belongs to Ipaam, the company said. In the case of the thermoelectric plant, a technical cooperation agreement between Ibama and Ipaam delegated competence to the state body, according to Eneva.

Indigenous Muras, Mundurukus and Gaviões, from seven villages, were ignored in the execution of gas projects, according to the MPI document. There are around 190 families.

Even so, Eneva and Ipaam scheduled 2 and 3 public hearings for the last few days related to the licensing of the Azulão Thermoelectric Plant, one of the group’s projects.

“The licensing of the thermoelectric project involves holding public hearings as important and essential steps for debate with civil society,” said the company.

The MPF (Federal Public Ministry) in Amazonas issued a recommendation to suspend the hearings. It was ignored, and the hearings were held in Silves and Itapiranga.

MPF and Funai requested the interruption of the licensing process until the study of the indigenous component, necessary when a project impacts traditional communities, is carried out.

“Ibama has only been taking into account reports from WGs [grupos técnicos da Funai para processos de demarcação] already published or areas already demarcated. But the Federal Constitution does not say that. The territories are indigenous regardless of demarcation,” he told Sheet the Public Prosecutor Fernando Merloto Soave, one of those responsible for recommending Eneva and Ipaam.

The 2022 Census by IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics) showed the existence of 1,066 indigenous people in Silves, cites the recommendation. “The majority are in villages, not in the city,” said Merloto.

The walls in the region of Autazes (AM), where another project without licensing by Ibama – a potash exploration project – impacts indigenous communities, have been in place for 200 years, said the prosecutor.

“If it has an impact on indigenous land, Ibama is responsible for licensing. You shouldn’t look at the map and only take into account what is demarcated”, stated the MPF member.

The form that Eneva filled out concerns the FCA (Activity Characterization Form). The projects are “production and flow of hydrocarbons from Campo de Azulão/AM”. Gas pipelines, oil pipelines and production points are included, according to the document.

The process was about a consultation related to the competence for licensing, which is already played at the state level.

Regarding indigenous lands, conservation units and quilombola territories, Ibama recorded: “No potential target was declared by the entrepreneur for this topic.” According to the FCA, the developments impact urban areas and breeding areas for turtles and birds.

“The analysis of the non-overlap of the project area with indigenous lands was carried out using the bases provided by Funai”, stated the Ibama licensing area on June 6. “Based on the data and information presented, it is concluded that this is not environmental licensing within Ibama’s jurisdiction.”

Gas exploration is already carried out by Eneva, a company that has BTG Pactual, Cambuhy Investimentos, Dynamo, Atmos and Partners Alpha in its corporate structure. The input is taken to a thermoelectric plant in Roraima, which is responsible for 50% of electricity generation in the state, according to the company.

In the case of the prior license granted by Ipaam for the exploration of potash in the Amazon, the Federal Court in Amazonas decided to annul the act. The decision is dated August 25th and establishes that Ibama is responsible for licensing, due to the impact on indigenous lands.

The company responsible is Potássio do Brasil, a subsidiary of the Canadian bank Forbes & Manhattan. The company stated that it will only comment in the case files.