New mining project in Minas Gerais sparks criticisms, concerns

An iconic mountain range in Minas Gerais state, which features on the state capital Belo Horizonte’s coat of arms, could be under threat now that a controversial mining project has been given the go-ahead. In the early hours of 30 April, after an 18-hour meeting, Minas Gerais state’s Council for Environmental Policy (Copam) approved the full licensing of the Taquaril Mining Complex. It will be located in the Serra do Curral mountain range in the municipality of Nova Lima, bordering the cities of Belo Horizonte and Sabará.

Eight of the 12 council members voted in favor of mining company Tamisa, which will be responsible for the complex.

Representatives of the state executive branch were unanimous in their approval of the project, claiming that it will bring economic benefits to the region. Meanwhile, the federal prosecution service and the city of Belo Horizonte have both filed lawsuits to try and reverse the decision, highlighting that the mining complex will be installed in an area of environmental preservation. 

The complex aims to extract 31 million tons of iron ore over 13 years in an area spanning around 102 hectares. Of these, 41 hectares of Atlantic Forest — six within conservation areas — are expected to be affected. The area is home of the Parque das Mangabeiras, a park that is part of the Serra do Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve, whose limit is located approximately 500 meters from the so-called north pit of the future mining complex. 

The project is strongly criticized by environmentalists, led by the Tira o Pé da Minha Serra (Get Your Foot Off My Mountain) movement which has increased its protest actions against the mining...