The Federal Court of Minas Gerais has taken a significant step by suspending the operational license of Fleurs Global Mineração Ltda., following concerns raised by quilombola communities related to the environmental licensing process. This judicial decision was rendered by the Regional Federal Court of the 6th Region (TRF-6), and is a response to an appeal filed by the Federation of Quilombola Communities of the State of Minas Gerais N’Golo.

The immediate trigger for the court's ruling was the lack of prior consultation with the quilombola community of Manzo Ngunzo Kaiango, which is situated approximately 5.9 kilometers from the mining project. This community claimed that their rights, as a traditional people, were violated by not being consulted about the impacts of the mining activities that could affect their land and way of life. According to Brazilian law, consultations with indigenous and traditional communities are mandatory when their rights or territories may be impacted by industrial activities.

This ruling has implications not only for Fleurs Global Mineração Ltda. but also for other companies working in Brazil that plan to operate in areas near indigenous or quilombola communities. It reinforces the necessity for compliance with environmental and social justice laws, thereby ensuring that communities are engaged and their rights are protected in the licensing process.