Brazil Potash’s wholly-owned Brazilian subsidiary, Potássio do Brasil Ltda., has received the processing plant Installation License from the Amazon state licensing agency, the Institute for Environmental Protection of Amazonas (IPAAM). This license allows the construction of the potash processing plant to proceed at the company’s Autazes potash project. In total, IPAAM has issued 12 Installation Licenses and Authorizations, including for the mine, processing plant, and port, enabling construction to commence.

Adriano Espeschit, President of Potássio do Brasil, commented in a press release: “Potássio do Brasil strictly complies with all criteria described in our licensing documents. As construction work progresses, opportunities are also emerging for the communities of Autazes and the surrounding region. We have already started hiring people for construction and indirect jobs are beginning to emerge through a network of service providers and suppliers that are helping us in this phase of implementation. Construction of the Project we believe will contribute to regional and national development and to food security for Brazil and the world.”

The potash ore processing plant will be built in an area predominantly used for cattle pastures, as the municipality of Autazes is known as the “Land of Milk” due to its dairy and beef cattle industries. Following the issuance of the first Installation Licenses, some construction work has already begun, including the completion of the first water well and the start of a second well, both for drinking water and each approximately 130 meters deep. This work was completed near the village of Urucurituba, Autazes, and benefited the local economy through the use of local lodging and food service providers.

The licenses and authorizations from IPAAM allow Potássio do Brasil Ltda. to carry out vegetation suppression, archaeology services, local fauna rescue and handling, and earthworks as part of constructing the mine, processing plant, and port. Once construction is complete and passes government inspection for safety and compliance with Brazilian codes, the company anticipates receiving the Operating License, which will permit the extraction and processing of potash ore for an expected period of at least 23 years.

Potássio do Brasil has been working in partnership with the Mura indigenous community, who live 8km from the project site. The company participated in the II Assembly of the Mura People of Autazes on May 30th, 2024, to receive the Mura Good Living Plan, developed through consultations among 37 Mura villages surrounding Autazes.

Potássio do Brasil donated 20,000 seedlings grown in its own nursery, with CEO Adriano Espeschit stating, “We have already donated more than 42 thousand seedlings to contribute to reforestation in the municipality of Autazes and surrounding regions.” The company is committed to implementing around 30 socio-economic and environmental programs, many aligning with the interests and proposals of the Mura People.

The Mura people of Autazes, represented by the Mura Indigenous Council (CIM), have followed the Mura Consultation Protocol based on the United Nations International Labour Organization (ILO) 169 protocols for free, prior, and informed consultation. In the Mura People’s Assembly held in September 2023, 94% of the represented villages approved the project with over 90% support, exceeding the Mura’s own thresholds of 60% voter participation and 60% approval.