Lithium mining in Brazil, specifically in the Jequitinhonha Valley, is facing a judicial halt. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) requested the suspension of projects in Araçuaí and its neighboring municipalities.
It argued “serious failures in consulting local communities” and environmental damages. Thus, the measure puts the viability of sustainable mining that respects social and environmental rights at the center of the debate.
### Lack of prior consultation and impact on communities
The Prosecutor’s request, as reported by local media, is based on the lack of free, prior, and informed consent of the affected communities, a legal requirement for projects that impact territories of indigenous peoples and traditional communities.
Companies like Atlas Lithium and Sigma Mineração have advanced in their operations without complying with this fundamental principle.
The official statement from the MPF cites reports revealing tangible damages. In the communities of Calhauzinho and Passagem da Goiaba, the road works of the Neves project (operated by Atlas Lithium) have affected water pipes, impacting the daily water supply of families.
On the other hand, the Grota do Cirilo project, by Sigma Lithium, is also under scrutiny. An analysis of its 2021 Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) alerted serious deficiencies in water management.
It warned that the two open-pit mines could alter the course of the Piauí stream, the main water source for the inhabitants of Araçuaí and Itinga, especially in times of drought.
### The dilemma of economic development and environmental rights
Despite being one of the poorest regions in Brazil, the Jequitinhonha Valley has one of the most important lithium reserves. It is the mineral considered strategic for global energy transition.
Although the promise of million-dollar investments and job creation is attractive, this case revives the debate on whether mining activity can coexist with the rights of local communities.
The Prosecutor’s Office has given the National Mining Agency (ANM) a 20-day deadline to comply with the suspension of permits and license review. The lack of response could lead to legal actions, marking a crucial precedent for the lithium industry not only in Brazil but throughout the Latin American region.
In this sense, the decision of the ANM will be crucial. The integration of communities in decision-making is not only an ethical and legal obligation but also a strategy to ensure the long-term viability of these projects.
