Open pits in the south

A project to open the largest coal mine in Brazil has split the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul. The endeavor, called the Guaíba mine after a nearby lake, is celebrated by some as an important support for regional development and tax revenue. Copelmi, the company responsible for the project and which will own the rights to exploit coal for an estimated 23 years, says that the mine will create 4.5 thousand jobs.

On the other hand, specialists, environmentalists, and public prosecutors are concerned about the extent of possible negative impacts on the environment and surrounding communities. 

According to the outlines of the project, the open-cast coal mine will be located inside the metropolitan area of state capital Porto Alegre, home to over four million people, and just 16 kilometers from the city center. The endeavor requires approval from the State Foundation for Environmental Protection (Fepam) and no date has been set for a decision. “The case needs precise analysis. We have 12 months to give a preliminary permit, and the process is stalled due to the need for additional information,” said Fepam, in a statement.

The mine will sit on the edge of the Delta do Jacuí Park, an environmental protection area which is crucial to enhance Porto Alegre’s...