Waimiri Atroari Reserve is 123 kilometers long and is located between the states of Roraime and Amazonas Valéria Oliveira/G1/File Mineração Taboca S.A. was fined R$22.5 million by the Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute (Ipaam) for discharging waste outside the permitted standards into a river in Presidente Figueiredo, in the interior of Amazonas. The infraction was identified during an inspection carried out near the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous Land, an area that had been monitored following reports of possible environmental impacts. According to Ipaam, the irregularity was discovered during an operation at the Pitinga Polymetallic Complex. During the inspection, teams found changes in the water of the Tiaraju River, one of the main tributaries of the Alalaú River, with high turbidity and changes in color attributed to the irregular disposal of effluents from mining activities. The inspection was carried out jointly with (ANM) and the Brazilian Institute of the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Ibama). Leaders of the Waimiri Atroari people also followed the action and indicated to inspectors areas considered most vulnerable to environmental impacts. ? Join the g1 AM channel on WhatsApp According to the environmental agency, the fine was applied based on federal and state environmental legislation. Photos, videos and technical reports produced during the operation were attached to the administrative process opened to determine the damage.
Ipaam fines Mineração Taboca R$22.5 million for pollution in a river close to indigenous land in AM
Waimiri Atroari Reserve is 123 kilometers long and is located between the states of Roraime and Amazonas Valéria Oliveira/G1/File Mineração Taboca S.A. was fined R$22.5 million by the Amazonas Environmental Protection...
The fine comes after a series of alerts made by the Federal Public Ministry (MPF). In June, the agency demanded action from inspection bodies after receiving complaints from indigenous people about possible environmental impacts on rivers that cross the Waimiri Atroari Indigenous Land. Complaints pointed to changes in the color and flavor of the water, in addition to the death of fish, manatees and turtles. Residents have also reported cases of allergies and skin problems after contact with the water. At the time, the MPF and the National Mining Agency defined an inspection to verify possible impacts of the mining company's operations on the Tiaraju, Alalaú rivers and the Jacutinga stream. The investigation also analyzed the presence of metals in the water. Reports produced by a company hired by the Waimiri-Atroari Community Association (ACWA) identified the presence of metals such as aluminum, lead and mercury in points of the rivers analyzed. According to the MPF, some results showed concentrations above the limits set out in the legislation. Mineração Taboca was notified and has 20 days to present an administrative defense or pay the fine of R$22,555,000. What the mining company said In a statement, the company informed that it had received the infraction notice and that it would present a defense within the legal deadline. The mining company stated that the assessment is an administrative act and does not represent definitive proof of environmental damage. The company also declared that the supposed impacts highlighted by Ipaam would be restricted to the operational area of ??the Pitinga complex, and not in indigenous territory. According to the company, its activities are continuously monitored and it remains available to environmental agencies to provide clarifications and collaborate with investigations.
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