\n<\/p>\n
RIO DE JANEIRO: A Brazilian judge ordered the suspension of environmental licenses and mining activities at Sigma Lithium\u2019s Grota do \u200bCirilo mine, a court document seen by Reuters showed.<\/strong><\/p>\n The decision \u200cwas made on Friday in a civil suit brought by the Federation of Quilombola Communities of Minas Gerais, where the group said the miner\u2019s project was \u200bwithin the direct area of influence of the Bau Quilombola Community.<\/span><\/p>\n Quilombolas \u200bare traditional communities of African descent, which were created \u2060by people who escaped slavery. Their territories are protected by the state, \u200bwith more extensive licensing for projects that could impact them.<\/span><\/p>\n Judge Antonio Lucio \u200bTulio de Oliveira Barbosa said there was sufficient evidence that the Bau territory fell within the project\u2019s area of influence, triggering obligations for procedures including a free, \u200bprior and informed consultation with the community.<\/span><\/p>\n The judge said there was \u200brisk of harm to the community, as Sigma\u2019s mining complex carried out \u201cconstant blasting and \u200cearthmoving \u2060activities just a few kilometres from the traditional territory.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The judge cited studies indicating the territory is about 2.7 km (1.7 miles) from the project\u2019s directly affected area, well within the 8 km threshold that triggers the more \u200bextensive process.<\/span><\/p>\n Sigma has \u200bargued the project \u2060lies outside the impact zone. The court ordered an independent georeferencing expert review to determine the exact \u200bdistance between the project and the Quilombola territory.<\/span><\/p>\n Beyond suspending \u200benvironmental licenses \u2060the decision bars Minas Gerais state from granting new ones, and establishes a fine for Sigma if it continues its operations.<\/span><\/p>\n