Mine closure in Brazil: challenges ahead in a country with over 200 operating metallic ore mines

Authors: Masetti, L; Barros, E; Chaves, M; Domingues, V Download Paper Open access courtesy of:

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_09

Cite As:
Masetti, L, Barros, E, Chaves, M & Domingues, V 2025, 'Mine closure in Brazil: challenges ahead in a country with over 200 operating metallic ore mines', in S Knutsson, AB Fourie & M Tibbett (eds), Mine Closure 2025: Proceedings of the 18th International Conference on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 1-14, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/2515_09



Abstract:
Brazil is one of the world’s largest producers of ores, in addition to standing out for the variety of metallic substances produced, such as aluminium, lead, copper, chromium, columbite-tantalite, tin, iron, graphite, lithium, manganese, niobium, nickel, gold, vanadium and zinc. Currently there are more than 200 metallic ore mines in operation in the country, with approximately 36% producing above 1,000,000 tonnes/year of run of mine per mine. If on the one hand the numbers are impressive for their magnitude, on the other hand it is necessary to look closely at the liabilities that are created with the exhaustion of mines. The Brazilian mineral sector is governed by many regulatory standards. Among them is Brazilian National Mining Agency (Agência Nacional de Mineração [ANM]) Resolution No. 68/2021, which establishes rules for mine closure plans including the mandatory elements and respective deadlines for their submission. The Resolution repealed norms that had been approved 20 years before for the regulation of mine closure plans and introduced several concepts not previously addressed. Among the new concepts, the temporary structures and remaining structures stand out. Temporary structures are those installed during the life of a mine that can be demobilised, such as ore treatment plants and water and energy distribution systems. Remaining ones are those that cannot be demobilised, such as open pits and deactivated tailings and waste disposal. Such conceptualisation is extremely important, allowing for a greater comprehension of the norm and a greater possibility of maintaining activities in accordance with the normative. This article aims to analyse ANM Resolution No. 68/2021, considering the variable size of Brazilian mining companies in terms of production capacity and the ores produced, as well as the regulations state-of-the-art in relation to the legislation provided for in other countries with a mining tradition.

Keywords: mine closure plan, Brazilian regulatory rules, ANM Resolution No. 68/2021

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