Brazil's mining agency chief indicted in corruption probe

Brazilian authorities have indicted the director-general of the National Mining Agency (ANM), Mauro Henrique Moreira Sousa, along with over 50 others, in connection with alleged irregularities and corruption within the mining sector. The Federal Police concluded two investigations, leading to the indictments.

Sousa faces accusations of administrative advocacy, a crime involving favoring private interests within a public agency. Another director at the ANM, Caio Trivelatto, has also been indicted on suspicion of corruption. Both individuals have not yet commented on the allegations.

The indictments stem from two separate operations: "Operation Rejeito" and "Operation Parcours," conducted by the Federal Police in Minas Gerais. These operations investigated alleged corruption and other crimes within the mining industry, resulting in the indictment of 34 people in "Operation Rejeito" and 17 in "Operation Parcours." The accused include mining sector entrepreneurs and public officials at federal and state levels.

"Operation Rejeito" reportedly uncovered a highly structured criminal organization involved in environmental crimes, active and passive corruption, money laundering, and forgery of public documents. The organization allegedly focused on illicitly obtaining environmental licenses and mining authorizations in protected historical and environmental areas. Evidence gathered in "Operation Parcours" includes dialogues suggesting Sousa provided insider information to a mining company executive regarding pending processes within the ANM, and even facilitated the timing of official agency responses.