Brazil Court Orders Immediate Shutdown of Vale’s Iron Mine After Structural Failure
Brazil
Ibama fined the State-owned oil company Petrobras US$ 480.8 thousand over a fluid leak during drilling at the Amazon River estuary. Activities were temporarily halted and later resumed with approval from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels, following the replacement of equipment. (Ibama)
State Court of Minas Gerais has ordered the immediate suspension of Vale’s operations at the Fábrica Mine, an iron ore mining complex operated by the company in Ouro Preto, State of Minas Gerais, following a structural failure that resulted in the overflow of water and sediments. The company must submit an emergency action plan and implement monitoring of all structures, under penalty of a daily fine of US$ 19,200, capped at US$ 1.92 million. (TJMG)
Ibama dismantled part of the illegal gold mining logistics in the Amazon biome, on the border between the States of Pará and Amapá, disabling an aircraft and destroying machinery, vehicles and boats. Authorities also seized 217.5 g of gold and approximately 43 thousand liters of fuel. The operation aimed to protect the Jari Ecological Station and the Paru State Forest, strictly protected conservation areas. (Ibama)
A Justice of the Federal Supreme Court ordered new measures and deadlines for the Office of the Comptroller General, Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, National Indigenous Peoples Foundation and the federal government to strengthen enforcement, correct administrative failures, integrate databases and allocate federal lands in order to curb deforestation in the Legal Amazon, within the scope of ADPF 760, which sets a reduction target of 3,925 km² per year by 2027 and zero deforestation by 2030. (STF)
Brazilian researchers have developed innovative monitoring and management techniques to control the spread of sun coral (Tubastraea coccinea), an invasive species that threatens marine biodiversity along the country’s coastline, based on studies initiated as an environmental licensing requirement led by Ibama in partnership with the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation and the Federal University of Santa Catarina. (Ibama)
The National Council of Justice launched the Simplified Manual for Quantifying Environmental Damages, elaborated by the Judiciary’s Environmental Forum, to guide judges and justice system agents in the technical assessment of ecological impacts, including parameters for restoration, economic valuation and the protection of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities. https://www.cnj.jus.br/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/manual-simplificado-quantificacao-danos-ambientais.pdf (CNJ)
The Federal Court in the State of Rondônia required the National Indigenous Peoples Foundation and the power company Santo Antônio Energia to adopt environmental and social compensation measures for the impacts of the Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Plant on Indigenous peoples, including updating the environmental plan, consulting affected communities, conducting studies on additional damages and implementing actions with defined deadlines and periodic monitoring. (MPF)
Government of the State of Rondônia has enacted a law establishing a transitional regime for land regularization within the Soldado da Borracha Ecological Station, a conservation unit, allowing rural producers to remain and carry out agrosilvopastoral activities with access to environmental licensing, issuance of official documents and land use for up to 30 years, extendable if no compensation is provided. (Government of Rondônia)
The Government of the State of São Paulo, through the Refloresta-SP Program, will invest US$ 365.4 thousand in the restoration of 32.5 hectares in Bragança Paulista. The project includes planting native species, fencing, maintenance and monitoring of the area. (Semil-SP)
The Environmental Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul and the company LHG Mining Corumbá S.A. signed an Environmental Compensation Agreement to mitigate the impacts of rock and mineral extraction and processing using explosives in the city of Corumbá, State of Mato Grosso do Sul. The compensation amount is US$ 10.25 million, with a 48-month term and allocation to conservation units. (Imasul)
The Federal Government released the executive summary of the Climate Plan, the guide for implementing the national climate target under the Paris Agreement. The country has committed to reduce its net greenhouse gas emissions by 59% to 67% by 2035 compared to 2005. The plan is structured around two pillars: Adaptation, to increase the resilience of cities and ecosystems and Mitigation, with reduction targets in agriculture, energy, industry, transport and land use. (MMA)
The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office requested the immediate blocking of US$ 11.56 million from Vale S.A.’s to fund independent technical studies and environmental recovery actions for the Cateté River, impacted by the Onça Puma nickel mining project in the State of Pará. The measure aims to protect the Xikrin indigenous community, exposed to heavy metal contamination and ensure that the funds are managed by independent technical institutions under judicial supervision. (MPF)
Between August 2025 and January 2026, deforestation alerts in the Amazon biome fell 35.4%, reaching the lowest level in the historical series of the Inpe Deter System. In the Cerrado, there was a slight decrease of 5.9%, while the Pantanal saw an increase of 45.5% compared to the previous period, but still remained below 2023/24 levels. (Inpe)
The Public Ministry of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul filed a public civil action against the State and the Environmental Institute of Mato Grosso do Sul, responsible for environmental monitoring and licensing, for waiving permits for monocultures in the watershed region of the Serra da Bodoquena. Studies indicate that over 48,5 thousand hectares were deforested between 2014 and 2022, directly affecting scenic rivers such as Salobra, Formoso, and Peixe. The action requests the suspension of license waivers, the requirement of environmental studies, and the remediation of the damages. (MPMS)
Latin America
The Ministry of Environment of Peru announced it will lead the national database of biodiversity credit projects, a system based on a carbon market–like model to ensure transparency, traceability and integrity in initiatives aimed at protecting the country’s ecosystems. The legal framework that will formally regulate these credits is expected to be completed by the 1Q2027. (Minam)
The Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of Paraguay launched a project to reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption by 85% by 2040. The initiative prioritizes the refrigeration and air-conditioning sectors, promoting cleaner and more efficient technologies and strengthening the regulatory framework for greenhouse gas control. (Mades)
The Executive Director of the National Forestry Corporation of Chile presented a report on the 2025–2026 wildfire season in the Maule Region, recording 500 fires, 19% fewer than last year and 4,200 hectares affected, 8% less than the previous season. As of February 10, two fires remain active: El Bosque, covering 250 hectares and Cajón de Pejerrey, covering 55 hectares, both being combated with the support of helicopters and ground brigades. (Conaf)
Due to the high risk of wildfires in the Valparaíso Region, the National Forestry Corporation of Chile will preventively close La Campana National Park and Lago Peñuelas National Reserve from February 11 to 13. The measure aims to protect ecosystems and visitors, while preventive patrols monitor potential fire sources and risky activities. So far, 364 fires have been recorded in the region this season, affecting 1,242 hectares. (Conaf)
Four protected natural areas in Peru – Tingo María National Park, Huascarán National Park, Mar Tropical de Grau National Reserve, and Lachay National Reserve have been included in the Top 100 Green Destinations Stories, an international initiative that recognizes destinations and areas implementing exemplary practices in environmental conservation and sustainable tourism. (Minam)
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