News

12/05/22

Mining represented by the Brazilian Mining Institute (IBRAM) will expand its efforts in favor of the sectorial commitments established in the ESG Agenda of Mineração do Brasil, and, thus, expand its business activities combined with operational safety, sustainability and respect for people and care for the preservation of the environment. The incessant fight against illegal mining is another goal of the new management, led by CEO Raul Jungmann, as he pointed out in his inauguration speech, on the night of this Wednesday (11/05), in Brasília, in a ceremony that brought together hundreds of authorities civil and military of the three powers, representatives of state governments, business leaders, NGO leaders, diplomats from several countries, among many guests.

The event also marked the inauguration of the CEO of Anglo American in Brazil, Wilfred Bruijn, as chairman of the Board of Directors of IBRAM, and of the CEO of Lundin Mining Corporation, Ediney Maia Drummond, as vice-chairman. The program also included the delivery of plaques in honor of the services rendered in favor of IBRAM and mining in Brazil by the Institute’s former directors, Wilson Brumer, on the Board of Directors, and Flávio Ottoni Penido, on the board’s presidency. Read more by clicking here.

Former President of the Republic, Michel Temer, sent a message to Raul Jungmann, read shortly before signing the term of office. “I emphasize that IBRAM will gain a lot from your presidency. To this end, I give my testimony of the relevant services that you provided to my government and to the country when you led the Ministries of Defense and Public Security”, says the text.

Among the various authorities present, the Ministers of the Federal Supreme Court, Alexandre de Moraes, Gilmar Mendes and Luís Roberto Barroso; the Acting President of the Chamber, Federal Deputy Marcelo Ramos (PSD-AM); the Minister of the Federal Audit Court, former Senator Antonio Anastasia; Senator Jean Paul Prattes; former Minister of Defense and former president of Petrobras, General Joaquim Silva e Luna; the governor of Pará, Helder Barbalho; TCU minister Antonio Anastasia; the president of the Chamber’s Mines and Energy Commission, federal deputy Fábio Schiochet (União-SC); the general director of the National Mining Agency, Victor Bicca; Izabella Teixeira, former Minister of the Environment.

The CEO of IBRAM, Raul Jungmann, speaks at the inauguration ceremony of the new board – credit: Tico Fonseca

Raul Jungmann stated in his speech that “the role of mining is not only strategic, it is not only of public utility. It plays an important role in the development of the country, in generating employment, income, in contributing to promoting justice, sustainability, respect for the environment (…) This sector is committed, it is on the side of the law, on the side of sustainability”. He stated that the sector will expand its activities in a safe, sustainable and respectful way with people and the environment and, for that, it needs to have a strong National Mining Agency – a better general structuring of the ANM has been one of the flags of IBRAM in these last few years. The agency still has shortcomings that hinder its technical performance in the inspection and regulation of the mineral sector.

Jungmann highlighted in his speech the ESG agenda of the mineral sector. “When we talk about ESG, we are talking about very concrete actions. Use less water, use renewable resources to generate energy, respect the community, preserve the forest and other commitments to the environment. This will be the direction of our management. And always together with the Board of Directors, who think like us and support us”, he said.

In his speech, the CEO of IBRAM mentioned some of the main socioeconomic contributions of the mining industry to the country, such as the approximately 2 million direct and indirect jobs; the R$117 billion in taxes; R$ 10 billion collected in royalties from the activity; the high representativeness of the mineral trade balance in the balance of trade (80% in the 1st quarter) – considering that it occupies only 0.6% of the territory, he pointed out.

“Mining presents its contributions to the country, but we say ‘no’ to the excessive burdens imposed on the sector, which makes it lose its competitiveness. We say ‘no’ to legal uncertainty, as well as to imagining that the sector is something that can be exhausted through charges and raising fees and royalties. This is wrong. Go in the opposite direction. It leads our sector to loss of market and competitiveness”, he said.

Regarding illegal mining, Raul Jungmann was adamant: “we will not support any project that might open any gap to illegal mining. Nor will we accept any type of project that does not preserve the environment and, in particular, our forest, which we want to remain standing”. He also said that IBRAM will maintain direct contact with the authorities to demand more effective measures against illegal mining, such as gold mining, which results in loss of currency for the country, among other harmful consequences, such as the promotion of crime and damage to communities, including indigenous peoples.

“We are going to the president of the Central Bank to bring him a memorial, a contribution for him to fulfill his supervisory activities in this sector that are due to him. Let’s go to the Federal Police, to the Ministry of Justice because this sector is on the side of legality, preservation of the environment, social justice and democracy, which is the backbone for us to be what we are and want to do what we do,” he stressed.

Raul Jungmann also spoke about IBRAM’s position regarding the regulation of mining in indigenous lands. Recently, IBRAM declared its opposition to Bill 191, which is being discussed in the Chamber of Deputies and proposes the regulation of economic activities in demarcated lands.

“I recently had the opportunity to speak to European Union ambassadors on behalf of IBRAM. He said that the Brazilian mineral sector follows the Constitution. We understand that mining on indigenous lands needs regulation. But we will not accept a regulation that does not respect the original peoples, their rights, that does not listen to them, that they are not part of the decision-making process of what interests them”, he said.

The CEO ended his speech praising democracy. “I learned to respect, to love, to want democracy. Sometimes we don’t miss you. But she is fundamental, like air, until the day we lack. And when we lack, there is nothing left, so, above all, as a citizen, father, future grandfather and husband, I want to say goodbye to democracy at this ceremony,” he said.

Business leaders, military and other authorities take office

The ceremony was attended by directors and leaders from the public and private sectors, including:

Ministry of Mines and Energy; Civil House; Ministry of Economy; SPPI; Itamaraty; Embratur; Federal police; Army; Navy; IBAMA; Attorney General of the Republic; Embassy of Argentina; Canadian Embassy; US Embassy; Australian Embassy; IMF; UnB; Government of Bahia; Government of Santa Catarina; Government of Goiás; Government of Pará; CNI; FIEG; Federal Council of Chemistry; ADIMB; ABIAPE; SINPRIFFERT; Firjan; ABCM; CFM; ABCON; OCB; Ethos Institute; Political Action Network for Sustainability – RAPS; Choices Institute; OAB.