The minute
- The Senate approved PL 2780/2024, establishing a critical minerals framework, via symbolic vote with a report by Senator Eduardo Braga (MDB/AM). The bill now heads to presidential signature.
- Senators also approved PL 1482/2019, which increases penalties for petroleum and fuel theft and targets the entire economic chain behind illegal fuel distribution, including receivers. The bill had been approved by the lower house in September 2025.
- The Senate Infrastructure Commission approved PLP 109/2025, granting the national petroleum agency (ANP) access to fiscal data as part of the response to Operação Carbono Oculto, though a plenary vote was postponed.
Why it matters
The critical minerals framework positions Brazil to set rules over resources essential to batteries, semiconductors and the energy transition, while the fuel crime bills aim to close enforcement gaps that enable tax evasion and illegal distribution in one of the world’s largest fuel markets.
The votes took place during the Senate’s second day of a concentrated legislative effort. The critical minerals bill, according to the rapporteur, preserves a national sovereignty approach to strategic resources. Separately, the Instituto Combustível Legal noted the fuel crime legislation will allow authorities to pursue not only direct offenders but also those who finance or benefit from illegal fuel operations. via eixos
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