IBRAM establishes Technical Committees and Working Groups (WG) with the objective of discussing and proposing actions related to relevant topics in the sector.
The Mining Affairs Committee was formed with the objective of monitoring and analyzing the current regulatory environment and its impacts on the productive sector, defending the interests of the mining sector.
The Committee monitors and acts upon developments and updates in the regulated sector regarding the following topics: Brazilian Mining Code; legislation, developments, and practices necessary for environmental licensing; legislation, developments, and practices related to dams; new regulations from the National Mining Agency – ANM; new guidelines and plans from the Federal Government/Secretariat of Geology and Mining of the Ministry of Mines and Energy. The Committee also addresses issues related to economic aspects that impact the competitiveness and development of mining in the country. The Working Groups on Tailings Dams, Environmental Bonds, and Mine Closure are part of the Mining Affairs Committee.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Committee.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM
The Communication Committee brings together representatives from the Communication area of mining companies and IBRAM to discuss, plan, structure, and execute strategies and action plans to achieve the Institute's objectives. The group exchanges experiences, analyzes proposals together, and presents suggestions to improve the results of joint efforts in favor of the mineral sector.
The participation of the members of this Committee has been fundamental for the Institute to execute actions and communicate them effectively to society. The Committee represents a true and fruitful interaction between mining companies and IBRAM teams in conducting the Institute's Communication policies.
Furthermore, it works to amplify the reach of projects and events conducted by IBRAM, as well as supporting members in their own communication efforts. The Committee has also proven to be an important forum for bringing members even closer to the day-to-day activities of IBRAM, involving them in its discussions and agendas of common interest.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the IBRAM member companies [mining companies], who preferably hold the position of responsibility for the Communication area or its equivalent within the companies.
Once again demonstrating its role as the main catalyst for the sector's needs, with a relevant and prominent position, IBRAM created the Risk Management Committee The Brazilian Mining Association aims not only to better understand the "pain points" of its members when it comes to risks, but also, as the main spokesperson for the sector, to take on the role of leading integrated measures for mitigating and monitoring risks in the mining sector.
Among the main benefits brought by the Committee are: Sharing a set of best practices related to managing the main risks identified in the mining sector in Brazil; Reducing exposure to critical risks; Supporting legal compliance and ESG criteria; Strengthening risk management and culture; Improving access to financing and investments; Promoting sectoral integration and benchmarking; Reducing operational accidents and incidents.
As part of this initiative, IBRAM intends to develop a Mining Risk Management Guide for Brazil, which will serve as an accessible and applicable reference, allowing these organizations to improve their ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in a consistent manner, aligned with the most modern governance and sustainability standards. In addition to detailing the... TOP 10 Risks of the Brazilian mining sector.
Who can participate: – Representatives of the IBRAM's full members [mining companies], who preferably hold positions of responsibility or risk management within the companies. – Other companies with expertise in the subject, previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Committee.
Meeting frequency: Monthly
IBRAM Coordination: IBRAM's Directorate of Sustainability and Association Affairs
To address the challenges, especially in the area of mapping and monitoring legislative proposals, IBRAM established the Government Relations Committee (Comitê RelGov). The group aims to centralize strategy and efforts in defending the interests of the mining sector. The RelGov Committee has been working intensively since 2018, through direct engagement with public authorities, especially the Legislative and Executive branches, in the development of proposals for the mining industry and the organization of events and debates of interest to the sector. The Committee works closely with the National Confederation of Industry – CNI, especially with the Council for Legislative Affairs (CAL) and the Council for Infrastructure (COINFRA), formulating strategies to defend the interests of the mining sector. Other regular partners include FIEMG, FIESP, FIERJ, and FIEG.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Committee.
Meeting frequency: weekly.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Institutional Relations of IBRAM.
The Health and Safety Committee aims to issue opinions, reports, and propose guidelines and strategies to support IBRAM's decision-making regarding occupational health and safety issues.
The Health and Safety Committee has sponsors who contribute to its development.
The following Working Groups are part of the Health and Safety Committee:
• COVID-19 Alignment Working Group
• Occupational Health Working Group
• Occupational Health and Safety Indicators Working Group
• Working Group on Health and Safety Legislation
• Working Group on Critical Risks in Occupational Health and Safety
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the IBRAM member companies [mining companies], who preferably hold the position of responsibility for the Health and Safety area or its equivalent within the companies.
– other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Committee.
The Sustainability Committee aims to discuss, propose strategies, and provide input for the Institute's decision-making regarding strategic themes on the national and international socio-environmental sustainability agenda that may positively or negatively impact the competitiveness of the Brazilian mining industry. Among the topics addressed are: Climate Change, SDGs – Sustainable Development Goals, Waste Management, and Economic Diversification in Mining Territories.
In order to better fulfill its objectives, the Sustainability Committee may invite various national and international experts, whether or not they are IBRAM members, to participate in its meetings, provided they possess relevant knowledge of the topics discussed.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of IBRAM's full members [mining companies] and affiliates [companies in the mineral sector's production chain], who preferably hold the position of responsibility for the Sustainability area or its equivalent within the companies.
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Committee.
Meeting frequency: bimonthly
IBRAM Coordination: IBRAM's Directorate of Sustainability and Association Affairs
The Legal Committee aims to support the decision-making of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board of IBRAM with analyses on legal matters, especially proposals in the regulatory field, such as draft laws, resolutions on environmental, mining, and labor law issues, among others that may arise. The Tax Working Group and the Mining Working Group are part of the Legal Committee.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the IBRAM member companies [mining companies], who preferably hold the position of Legal Department head or equivalent within the companies.
– Other companies or law firms previously designated by the mining companies participating in the Committee.
Frequency of meetings: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Institutional Relations of IBRAM.
The Tailings Dams Working Group is an IBRAM (Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) group that has been very active, especially in recent years, in both technical and environmental matters, as well as regulatory issues. The Working Group monitors new Resolutions, Decrees, Bills, and other initiatives at both the state and federal levels. The Working Group also actively works on the revision of standards, monitoring the progress of resolutions, submitting contributions to requests for information from regulatory bodies, and engaging in discussions, contributions, and dialogue with various national and international committees.
The group has been monitoring the decommissioning processes of upstream tailings dams, mainly in Minas Gerais. In addition, it studies the additional criteria recently established in Resolutions imposed by the ANM (National Mining Agency) and other federal and state agencies. In all these monitoring efforts, the working group gathers the technical complexities experienced in each project, discussing their impact on compliance with current legislation and identifying technical alternatives.
IBRAM also participates in discussions and contributions in a Working Group coordinated by the Brazilian Committee on Dams – CBDB, the ICOLD representative in Brazil, and in the Technical Chamber on Dam Safety at the CNRH (National Water Resources Council).
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Group.
The Environmental Guarantee Working Group was established by IBRAM in August 2020 to address the issue of Environmental Guarantees, as provided for in Minas Gerais State Law number 23.291/2019. Its purpose is to evaluate and cooperate in the regulation of this Law in relation to the section that provides for Environmental Guarantees. The law introduced stricter rules for environmental licensing and dam inspection in the State of Minas Gerais. The Working Group collaborates with public entities through economic and financial studies for the formation of an environmental guarantee fund, in addition to technical studies aimed at providing the most important parameters for the fund's formation.
Who can participate:
Representatives of the IBRAM's member companies [mining companies]
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Group.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM
The Mine Closure Working Group aims to create an ongoing exchange of technical knowledge and experience, primarily for mine closure planning in the country. The Working Group representatives seek to promote actions to ensure that the processes of ending productive activities have minimal local socioeconomic and environmental impacts and are considered fundamental items in companies' strategic planning. Activities include: finding innovative technical solutions, disseminating best practices, and contributing to the improvement of legislation.
The group's main topics of action and discussion involve: developing closure plans and their implementation; evaluating best practices and real-world cases; financial guarantees under current legislation and trends; closure and post-closure scenarios – at the organizational and sectoral levels; stakeholders involved – communities and territories; local socioeconomic development; environmental diagnosis and remediation; dam decommissioning; tailings management – disposal, alternative applications, co-products.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Group.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM.
The Mining Working Group (GT Garimpo) was created to expand the knowledge of the mining business sector regarding the dynamics of legal and illegal mining activities that may generate negative impacts on the mining industry, aiming to propose solutions to the issue, especially in the field of public policies. The GT Garimpo is a space for dialogue and the building of partnerships among multiple stakeholders.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies or law firms previously designated by the mining companies participating in the Working Group.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Institutional Relations of IBRAM.
Working Group on Occupational Health and Safety Indicators
The Occupational Health and Safety Indicators Working Group aims to develop parameters to be adopted by IBRAM as a reference for formulating performance indicators to be used by member companies, for benchmarking activities and demonstrating the performance of the mining sector.
Who can participate:
Representatives of the IBRAM's member companies [mining companies]
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Groups.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM.
Group formed with associates operating in underground mines. Discussions focus on labor legislation, collective agreements, working hours, and gender. This is a temporary group; its main mission is to support IBRAM's decision-making process with technical/legal analyses of legislative proposals and other institutional acts that may impact the mining industry.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Group.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM.
Working Group on Occupational Health and Safety Legislation
The Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Working Group aims to monitor changes in regulations and suggest new legislative proposals related to occupational health and safety in the mining sector at any level.
Who can participate:
Representatives of the IBRAM's member companies [mining companies]
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Groups.
Meeting frequency: as per demand.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM.
The Occupational Safety Critical Risks Working Group aims to promote discussions on risks considered critical in relation to accidents that affect the integrity of people working in mining companies, committing to developing barriers that control or mitigate highly critical undesirable events. It also aims to exchange best practices and conduct benchmarking.
Who can participate:
– representatives of the IBRAM member companies [mining companies]
– other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Committee and Working Groups.
Meeting frequency: monthly.
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM.
The Occupational Health Working Group aims to promote discussions on current health issues, as well as to seek the best methods for controlling and mitigating critical health risks in the mining sector that affect people's well-being. It also aims to exchange best practices and conduct benchmarking.
Who can participate:
Representatives of the IBRAM's member companies [mining companies]
– Other companies previously indicated by the mining companies participating in the Working Groups.
Meeting frequency: monthly
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Mining Affairs of IBRAM.
The Tax Working Group is an arm of IBRAM's Legal Committee, formed by professionals from mining companies and invited guests, specializing in tax law. Its main mission is to support IBRAM's decision-making process with technical/legal analyses of legislative proposals and other acts that may generate negative impacts on the mineral industry. The Tax Working Group has been operating for several years, monitoring topics such as CFEM, TFRM, the Kandir Law, among others. But recently, it has been guiding IBRAM with analyses of the Tax Reform proposals under discussion in the National Congress.
Who can participate:
– Representatives of the full members of IBRAM [mining companies].
– Other companies or law firms previously designated by the mining companies participating in the Working Group.
Meeting frequency: on demand
IBRAM Coordination: Directorate of Institutional Relations of IBRAM.