In a meeting, Mura leaders express support for the exploration of potassium in Autazes

State government

Indigenous people who live in the municipality were at the Government headquarters and highlighted that the activity represents economic advancement for the state

Manaus (AM) – In a meeting with Governor Wilson Lima, indigenous leaders from the Mura ethnic group, who live in Autazes (112 kilometers from the capital), expressed support for the advancement of potassium exploration in the municipality. The meeting took place this Monday (25), at the Amazonas Government headquarters, with the participation of representatives from Potássio do Brasil, deputies and state secretaries.

According to the governor, the support of the Mura people is important not only for the development of the municipality of Autazes, but for Amazonas, with the possibility of consolidating a new economic matrix for the state.

“This is a fundamental step and I consider it the most important step, which is the consultation process with the Mura people about this potassium exploration activity in the municipality of Autazes”,

highlighted Wilson Lima.

“We are talking here about another economic matrix in the state of Amazonas. We have the Free Zone, we have not given up on it, we have the issue of natural gas, which we have already managed to advance a lot, and the next step is now the issue of potassium”, he added.

Participating in the meeting with the governor, in addition to indigenous leaders and representatives of the Potássio do Brasil group, were state deputies Roberto Cidade, president of the Legislative Assembly of Amazonas, Sinésio Campos, Felipe Souza and Delegado Péricles; and the state secretaries of Economic Development, Science, Technology and Innovation (Sedecti), Serafim Corrêa; of Mining, Gas and Energy (Semig), Ronney Peixoto; the chief secretary of the Civil House, Flávio Antony; the director-president of the Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute (Ipaam), Juliano Valente; and the mayor of Autazes, Andreson Cavalcante.

On the occasion, representing the Mura people, José Cláudio handed Governor Wilson Lima minutes and a report of a meeting that took place between indigenous leaders accepting the continuity of the Potássio Autazes project.

“For us, it is very important because this represents the future, the economic advancement of Autazes and the state of Amazonas,” he said.

The president of Potássio Brasil, Adriano Espeschit, recalled that the potassium produced in the world is, for the most part, used in fertilizers and that Brazil is dependent on imports.

“Because food security depends on fertilizers for agribusiness, to eliminate hunger and feed people in our world,” he explained.

On August 25th, the Federal Court of Amazonas annulled the Ipaam Preliminary License and established that Ibama is responsible for licensing the project. The decision responded to a request from the Federal Public Ministry (MPF), which claims that the project will impact indigenous lands in the Autazes region.

Potential

Autazes holds one of the largest potassium deposits in the world. According to mineral research carried out by Potássio do Brasil, the municipality has a mineral reserve of more than 170 million tons of potassium chloride. Production has the potential to expand to 50% of Brazilian consumption by 2030.

Potássio do Brasil has a project ready to begin construction of the exploration structure in Autazes, which is in the environmental licensing phase. The project’s goal is to supply, from 2027, 20% of Brazil’s potassium needs, which currently imports 98% of what it needs. The planned investment is US$2.5 billion, over a period of 23 years.

Around 95% of the potassium produced in the world is used to produce fertilizers, according to the Brazilian Mining Institute. Although Brazil is one of the largest food exporters in the world, the country imports 85% of its fertilizers used in agriculture.

*With information from consultancy

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