44/ 58Minas Gerais
Minas lost 270 lives in Brumadinho. Flávio wants automatic permits for mines
Flávio Bolsonaro's government plan provides for automatic authorization of mines when the environmental agency does not respond in time, even without a finished impact review[1]. In Brumadinho, the collapse of Vale's dam in 2019 left 270 victims[2].
25 Jan. 2019 · Brumadinho
Vale's dam in Brumadinho collapses. Of the 270 victims, two were never located[2]
30 May 2022 · Jair Bolsonaro government
The Education Ministry (MEC) announces a 14.5% cut for federal universities and institutes. UFMG estimates it will lose R$ 32 million if the cut stands[3]
21 May 2025 · Flávio, senator
Flávio votes yes on the bill that changes environmental licensing, passed by the Senate 54 to 13[4]
18 Aug. 2026 · Flávio, candidate, in Belo Horizonte
We are going to cut all the red tape that exists in that part of environmental licensing[5]
9 Oct. 2026 · Flávio's government plan
According to Folha, the plan would clear large works, power plants, mines and industrial projects if the environmental agency does not respond in time, even without an impact review[1]
13 Oct. 2026 · Flávio's government plan
The plan would transfer the governance of federal universities from the Education Ministry (MEC) to the Ministry of Science and Technology[6]
These are proposals in the government plan, not law. The plan does not set the deadline that would trigger the authorization.
The mud
What Minas has lived through
In January 2026, seven years after the collapse of Vale's dam in Brumadinho, firefighters ended the search: 268 bodies were found, and two people, both Vale workers, were never located[2].
The vote
The vote and the promise
In May 2025, Flávio voted yes on the bill that changes the rules of environmental licensing[4]. In August 2026, in Belo Horizonte, he promised: “We are going to cut all the red tape that exists in that part of environmental licensing”[5].
He argues that “nowadays, it is possible to extract minerals while preserving the environment”[5].
The program
A permit without a finished review
Education
Universities
In May 2022, under Flávio's father's government, the Education Ministry (MEC) announced a 14.5% cut for federal universities and institutes; UFMG estimated it would lose R$ 32 million if the cut stood[3].
Now, Flávio's plan would take higher education out of the Education Ministry's (MEC) remit and transfer the governance of federal universities to the Ministry of Science and Technology[6].
October 25
Minas decides
Minas knows what a dam collapse costs[2]. On October 25, the vote decides who will sign the next permits.
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References06 sources
- 01Jornal de Brasília (Folhapress) · Flávio Bolsonaro promete revisar papel do Ibama, Funai e ICMBio e quer explorar gás de 'fracking'Folha report: Flávio's plan provides for automatic authorization of large works, power plants, mines and industrial projects if the agency does not respond in time, even without an impact review; the deadline is not set.(opens in a new tab)
- 02Diário do Nordeste · Bombeiros encerram buscas em Brumadinho sete anos após rompimento de barragemOf the 270 victims of the Vale dam collapse, 268 bodies were found; two people, both Vale workers, were never located.(opens in a new tab)
- 03Correio Braziliense · UFMG aponta perda de R$ 32 milhões se corte no Orçamento for mantidoThe MEC announced a 14.5% cut for federal universities and institutes; UFMG estimated a R$ 32 million loss if it stood.(opens in a new tab)
- 04Senado Federal · Projeto de Lei n° 2159, de 2021 — VotaçõesRoll-call vote of 21/05/2025: passed 54 to 13; Flávio Bolsonaro voted Yes.(opens in a new tab)
- 05O Tempo · Em BH, Flávio Bolsonaro promete 'enxugar burocracia' para setor de mineraçãoIn BH, Flávio said “We are going to cut all the red tape that exists in that part of environmental licensing” and that it is possible to “extract minerals while preserving the environment”.(opens in a new tab)
- 06Notícias ao Minuto (Folhapress) · Plano de Flávio de tirar universidades do MEC gera incerteza sobre financiamento e integração de políticasFlávio's plan “irá transferir a governança das universidades federais para o MCTI” and “prevê a retirada do ensino superior da responsabilidade do MEC” (original quotes in Portuguese).(opens in a new tab)