The National Mining Agency (ANM) is demanding an amount exceeding R$ 38 million from AMG Brasil, a mining company operating in the city of Nazareno, Minas Gerais. This amount corresponds to the Financial Compensation for Mineral Resource Exploitation (CFEM), which, according to the agency's verification during its inspection in the first half of this year, was not collected by the company.
The investigation conducted by ANM resulted in the formalization of at least 37 charges directed at the mining company. In response, AMG Brasil requested an additional deadline to present its defense within the administrative process.
It is important to note that this charge is not an environmental fine, but rather the non-payment of the CFEM, which represents the financial compensation due for mineral resource exploitation activity.
The origin of this pending issue dates back to November of the previous year, when AMG Brasil ceased collecting the financial compensation. The company itself justified this interruption by claiming to have credits from previous collections made in amounts higher than what was owed.
The situation gained local attention after the Municipality of Nazareno gathered documents indicating possible irregularities and forwarded them to the National Mining Agency for analysis. Following the inspection, ANM confirmed the 37 collection processes, totaling R$ 38,170,932.87.
Since the extraction of mineral resources occurs in Nazareno, the municipality is entitled to a portion of this revenue. According to calculations presented by the city hall, 60% of the charged amount, which equals about R$ 22.7 million, could be allocated to the municipality, following legal regulations.
During a public hearing held in August of this year, AMG Brasil stated that it was awaiting the finalization of the analysis regarding the validity of the balance it claims as credit. On the same occasion, the company committed to resuming payments or settling any differences that might be found.
Currently, the mining company has a period of 10 calendar days, counted from the notification receipt, to make the payment, request installment payments, or present its defense. This period can be extended once for the same duration, upon a reasoned request.
If the defense is denied, the company still has the possibility of appealing to the National Mining Agency within a period of 10 days, representing the last administrative stage of the procedure. If all administrative appeals are exhausted, the debt may be registered as active debt and subject to fiscal execution.