Notices against illegal mining grow 70% in the Lula government – 05/08/2023 – Panel

The number of fines against illegal mining grew 70% in the first four months of 2023 compared to the same period last year.

There were 121 in the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) against 71 in the first quarter of 2022, still during the Presidency of Jair Bolsonaro (PL). Compared to the same period in 2021, the increase is even greater, 188%.

The survey was carried out by Rosenthal Advogados Associados based on open data from Ibama (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources). The data refer to the illegal exploitation of gold, diamonds and cassiterista in clandestine mines.

The increase in inspection is directly related to the change of government. In the previous administration, openly defending mining on indigenous lands, control was loosened, especially during the passage of current federal deputy Ricardo Salles (PL-SP) by the Ministry of the Environment.

Another measure that should help in the fight against illegal mining is the end of the presumption of good faith in the origin of gold, following a decision by the STF (Federal Supreme Court) last week.

“Unfortunately, as the numbers demonstrate, the presumption of good faith has proved to be ineffective. Thus, it is imperative to create mechanisms that hinder illegal mining and offer effective protection to the country’s environmental reserves”, says criminal lawyer Sérgio Rosenthal.

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