Ann: Colossus Preliminary Environmental License Update, page-21

Colossus Project, developed by Viridis and focused on the production of rare earth elements in Poços de Caldas, is back on the agenda of the Mining Activities Chamber of the State Environmental Policy Council (Copam) this Friday, seeking a decision on the granting of a Preliminary License (LP).The matter returns to the agenda after the State Environmental Foundation (Feam) completed its analysis of the recommendations presented by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF). At the meeting held on November 28, the process had been removed from the agenda by Feam itself, on procedural grounds, so that the requests could be fully assessed.In a technical report that examined all of the points raised by the MPF, Feam states that several issues had already been analyzed, including water resource management, the environmental behavior of leached clays, and the installation of a pilot plant. The agency also notes that metallurgical tests indicate that the residual material is not hazardous and presents a low potential for environmental impact, considering innovations in the process, such as the use of filter presses.The document further concludes that authorization from Ibama is not required and proposes the inclusion of additional conditions for the next stages of the environmental licensing process, with the aim of strengthening environmental safeguards.Based on this analysis, Feam concluded that the process is ready to return for deliberation by Copam, maintaining a valid technical opinion that points to the environmental feasibility of the Colossus Project and recommends the granting of the Preliminary License. The opinion highlights the analysis of the submitted studies, the holding of a public hearing, the on-site inspection, the evaluation of impacts, and the definition of environmental control measures.Institutional support for the projectThe Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais (Fiemg) issued a statement reaffirming its support for the advancement of rare earth projects in the state. The organization emphasized the strategic importance of this sector for the energy transition and for strengthening Brazil’s position in this field. It also highlighted that such projects represent an opportunity to establish a domestic rare earth production chain, supplying inputs that are essential for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, drones, and medical equipment.