Brazil’s National Mining Agency Director arrested
In addition to Trivellato (photo) and Teixeira, 20 other suspects have been arrested
Brazil’s Federal Police (PF) Arrested National Mining Agency (ANM) Director Caio Mário Trivellato Seabra Filho and Former PF Director and Current Director of Administration and Finance of the Geological Service of Brazil (SGB), Rodrigo de Melo Teixeira.
The measure was carried out in the framework of Operation Rejeito, launched by the Office of the Comptroller General (CGU) and the PF on Wednesday to further investigate alleged fraud in the process of authorizing iron ore mining in Minas Gerais. In addition, federal agents executed 79 search and seizure warrants during the day.
A specialist in environmental law, Trivellato was an advisor on conflict resolution to the ANM board between 2020 and 2022, when he took over as Superintendent of Mineral Planning and Area Availability. In May 2023, he was appointed to temporarily take over the ANM board, returning to the board in December 2023.
Rodrigo Teixeira joined the Federal Police in 1999, having held several positions in the institution, including Superintendent in Minas Gerais, which he took over in 2018, and Director of Administrative Police (2023/2024). He was also Deputy Secretary of Security for the City of Belo Horizonte (2019-2022); Deputy Secretary of the Secretariat of Social Defense of Minas Gerais (2015-2016); and President of the Minas Gerais Environmental Foundation (2016-2018).
As ordered by a Federal Court, those under investigation holding public office will be temporarily removed from their positions and duties. All those under investigation will be charged with environmental crimes, misappropriation of federal assets, active corruption, passive corruption, criminal organization, money laundering, and obstruction of the investigation of a criminal organization.
According to the PF, those under investigation fraudulently obtained environmental permits and licenses, which they used to illegally extract iron ore from listed sites and areas close to conservation areas, with serious environmental consequences and a high risk of social and human disasters.
The PF also noted that in order to obtain environmental permits and licenses, the main organizers of the scheme bribed public servants in various state and federal environmental and mining inspection and control agencies, such as the ANM.
The criminal organization allegedly acted to neutralize the state’s actions, hindering investigations and monitoring authorities. In addition, it used various devices to launder the money obtained from illegal practices, the PF said in a statement.
Investigators estimate that the group earned at least R$1.5 billion (around US$283.21 million) over time, the same amount that the Federal Court in Minas Gerais ordered to be frozen in the accounts of those under investigation.
In addition to Trivellato and Teixeira, 20 other suspects, whose names have not been confirmed, were the targets of preventive arrest warrants.
The National Mining Agency (ANM) said in a statement that it learned of the PF operation through the press and has not yet been officially notified of the court orders it must comply with. To date, there has been no official communication to the agency regarding any measures involving employees or managers, the agency said, noting that, whenever formally requested, and in accordance with due process and the need for continuity of regulatory services, it remains committed to cooperating with the authorities.
In a separate communiqué, Brazil’s Geological Service (SGB) said it does not comment on ongoing proceedings involving its employees. We reiterate our commitment to ethics, legality, and transparency, and we remain available to cooperate with the competent authorities, the SGB said. (Source: Agencia Brasil)