Brazil’s National Department of Mineral Production may split up mining concessions without holder’s approval

Brazil’s Senate Commission of Environment has approved law project No. 245/06, which authorizes the National Department of Mineral Production ( Departamento Nacional de Produção Mineral, or DNPM ) to split up mining concessions without holder’s prior approval. DNPM may determine the split in case where more than one type of mineral is found in the relevant area under concession. The law project still need review by other Senate Commissions before being submitted to the full Senate for a vote.