Government Prepares Shortcut to Speed Up Environmental Licensing for Critical Mineral Projects

The federal government will publish a resolution in the coming days allowing strategic mining projects to undergo accelerated environmental licensing, with a maximum deadline of 12 months. The measure, prepared by the Ministry of Mines and Energy, provides that critical minerals such as lithium, copper, nickel, graphite and rare earths go through the Special Environmental Licensing (LAE), created by Congress at the end of last year, instead of the traditional three-stage licensing process.

The LAE combines the preliminary, installation and operating license phases into a single authorization. Supporters say the change reduces bureaucracy and provides investors with greater predictability. Critics argue that the model weakens gradual environmental oversight and imposes deadlines incompatible with the complexity of the projects.

Former Ibama president Suely Araújo warned that within 12 months it will not be possible to prepare the studies required for the installation and operation phases or conduct consultations with Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. Carlos Bocuhy, from Proam, said the easing of rules "will increase risks, since mining is not a low-impact activity."

Ibram, the industry association, viewed the initiative positively, provided that environmental standards are maintained. Ibama, the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Ministry of Environment did not comment on the substance of the measure.

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