The text established operational procedures, adaptation deadlines without prior notice, and new annual requirements for titleholders and cooperatives.
Published in the Federal Gazette on July 29, 2026, ANM Resolution No. 244/2026 amended Resolution No. 208/2025 and the Normative Consolidation (Administrative Rule No. 155/2016). The consolidation of the rule brought the regulation for applying area limits under the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Permit (PLG) regime, detailing the adaptation procedure for pending tenements, setting automatic response deadlines, and creating new obligations for the sector.
1. The 150-Day Cap (Deadline Without ANM Notice)
The key point of attention for titleholders of mining tenements lies in adapting pending applications awaiting decision:
- Individuals and Sole Proprietorships: If the sum of requested areas and pending applications exceeds the global limit of 50 hectares, the applicant has a 150-day deadline (counted from July 29, 2026) to file the option for the desired applications.
- Artisanal Mining Cooperatives: For applications exceeding the cap of 1,000 hectares per title, the cooperative must submit the request for area reduction within the same 150-day deadline.
Atention: The rule expressly establishes that filing for adaptation or reduction must be done independently of formal notice from the ANM. The expiration of the deadline without spontaneous action by the interested party will result in the automatic denial of excess applications.
2. Annual Obligations Due by March 15
The resolution inserted Articles 219-A and 219-B into the ANM’s Normative Consolidation, creating annual registration verification routines via the Digital Protocol:
- Cooperatives: Must submit an updated nominal list of their cooperative members by March 15 of each year, including full name, Taxpayer ID (CPF), and affiliation date.
- Partnership Contracts: Titleholders of mineral rights operating under partnership agreements must also send, by March 15, the updated list of partner miners accompanied by copies of the respective contractual instruments.
3. Mandatory Criteria for PLG Renewals
The renewal of the PLG title is no longer merely an administrative act and now depends on proof of effective mining activity. The granting of the request is subject to submitting:
- Annual Mining Report (RAL): Referring to the previous base year, mandatorily declaring active mining activity.
- Technical Mining Report: Prepared by a qualified professional or technical team, accompanied by a Technical Responsibility Certificate (ART).
- Georeferenced Photographic Records: Containing date, coordinates, and precise identification of the operation site.
4. Regime Change, Assignments, and Available Area Stock
The rule also regulated the processing of pending acts and the destination of released areas:
- Regime Change: Requests for regime change to Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Permit (PLG), as well as applications for transfer or assignment of rights, must mandatorily comply with the limits of 50 ha (Individuals/Sole Proprietorships) and 1,000 ha (Cooperatives), under penalty of denial.
- Change to Exploration Authorization: For holders of granted PLGs requesting a regime change to Exploration Authorization, area reduction does not apply, provided effective mining activity is proven.
- Allocation of Areas: Areas arising from denials, withdrawals, or reductions imposed by the new resolution will be directed to the pool of areas earmarked for the Availability Bidding process (ANM Resolution No. 24/2020).
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