In 1976 a mineral deposit of uranium was discovered in the municipality of Santa Quitéria, State of Ceará. In 2006, the federal government shows interest in exploring the deposit. By this year (2016), the aim of the Brazilian Nuclear Industries (INB) was to extract uranium and phosphate (for the agroindustry). As well, in accordance with the Government of the State of Ceará, the uranium will be use for the nuclear energy plant in Rio de Janeiro (Angra III). In 2009, Brazilian Nuclear Industries and Galvani (Brazilian enterprise) created the Consortium Santa Quitéria for the investment of the project called Mina de Itataia; Yara (Norway) joined the group. This mine is the largest reserve of uranium in the country and its economic viability depends on the associated phosphate exploration. This means that the uranium extraction is subject to the production of phosphoric acid-raw material used in the production of fertilizers (agroindustry). By the end of 2008, rural communities with support of the University of Ceará, agrarian and environmental justice organization such as Vía Campesina, the Brazilian Network of Environmental Justice, others local EJOs, and a religious group start a platform for opposing to the mine, the main causes were the high level of health risk, the high level of water use (according with other similar mines is around 1.150.000 liters per hour) in a water scarce zone. In 2011, the accident in Fukushima strengthened the Santa Quitéria communities. The same year they created the Articulação Antinuclear do Ceará (Anti-nuclear network in Ceará) to debate around the possible risks, social and environmental impacts of the mine. This Network helped the mobilization of communities directly affected by the mine and is associated with the Articulação Antinuclear Brasileira (National Network against Nuclear Energy). As part of the Environmental License required, the IBAMA (Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) called for public audiences to explain the project and offer different types of benefits (work, development, roads, etc..). However, the works have not even been initiated due to lack of environmental license. |
The federal government in Brazil is interested in extracting uranium and phosphate in Ceará, the Anti-nuclear Network together other EJOs are concerned about health and environmental risks. The project has not started.
| Name | Itataia Project for Uranium and Phosphate mining in Santa Quitéria, Ceará, Brazil |
| Country | Brazil |
| Province | Ceará |
| Site | Santa Quitéria |
| Accuracy of Location | MEDIUM regional level |
| Project Details | The mineral deposit of Santa Quiteria has geological reserves of 142,500 tons of uranium associated with phosphate. The mineable reserve is 79.5 million tons. Phosphate rock 800,000 tons per year Fertilizers 810,000 tons per year Bicalcic phosphate (animal feed) 240,000 tons per year Uranium 1600 tons per year It will bring between 1000-3000 work posts (direct and indirect). |
| Level of Investment (in USD) | 380,000,000 |
| Type of Population | Rural |
| Potential Affected Population | 170 000 -190 000 |
| Start Date | 2006 |
| Company Names or State Enterprises | Galvani from Brazil - concessionare Consórcio Santa Quitéria - owner Yara Brazil Fertilizantes S.A from Norway |
| Relevant government actors | Federal Government of Ceará (FGC), Brazilian Nuclear Industries (INB), Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), Secretaria Meio Ambiente Estado do Ceará (SEMACE), Ministerio de Minas e Energia (MME), National Commission of Nuclear Energy (CNEC) |
| International and Financial Institutions | Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) from Brazil |
| Environmental justice organisations and other supporters | Vía Campesina, Brazil Network of Environmental Justice (Rede Justiça Ambiental), Cáritas Brazil, Cactus Organization, Instituto Bioma, Movimento Sem Terra (MST),Articulação Antinuclear do Ceará (AACE), Articulação Antinuclear Brasileira (AAB), Coletivo Urucum (CU), Brazil Fund of Human Rights (FBDH), Cáritas Diocesana de Sobral do Ceará (CDSC), Comissão Pastoral da Terra (CPT) , |
| Intensity of Conflict (at highest level) | MEDIUM (street protests, visible mobilization) |
| When did the mobilization begin | PREVENTIVE resistance (precautionary phase) |
| Groups Mobilizing | Indigenous groups or traditional communities Local ejos Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities Social movements Ethnically/racially discriminated groups Local scientists/professionals Religious groups |
| Forms of Mobilization | Creation of alternative reports/knowledge Development of a network/collective action Involvement of national and international NGOs Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns |
| Other | Water sovereignty |
| Project Status | Planned (decision to go ahead eg EIA undertaken, etc) |
| Development of Alternatives | -Renewal energies such as Solar plants -Familiar agriculture |
| Do you consider this as a success? | Yes |
| Why? Explain briefly. | The project remains stopped. And there is a strengthening of participation and national networking, such as Articulação Antinuclear do Ceará (born under the struggle for this project). As well, the increasing knowledge in the rural communities about nuclear energy and its possible risks. |
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| Other Comments | Voc ENVJustice Mov Reforma agraria sim, uranio não! “A defesa da vida e a resistência antinuclear no Brasil” |
| Contributor | ENVJustice (GN) |
| Last update | 13/04/2018 |