Natural Stone Industry Presents Priority Issues at Public Hearing of the Chamber of Deputies’ Mines and Energy Committee

Discussion brought together representatives from the National Mining Agency (ANM), the National Confederation of Industry (CNI), and Centrorochas to address the importance of the natural stone industry to Brazil’s economy, industrial sector, and foreign trade

Competitiveness, infrastructure, licensing, sustainability, and international market access were among the key topics presented by the Brazilian natural stone industry during a public hearing held on June 9 by the Mines and Energy Committee of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies in Brasília. The discussion brought together representatives from government, industry, and the productive sector to examine the importance of natural stone activities to the Brazilian economy and the challenges involved in strengthening the industry’s competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

The hearing was held following a request submitted by Representatives Evair Vieira de Melo (Espírito Santo), Silvia Waiãpi (Amapá), and Greyce Elias (Minas Gerais), with the objective of expanding the discussion on the economic, social, and productive impacts of the natural stone industry in Brazil.

The Mines and Energy Committee is one of the main standing committees of the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies and plays an important role in the analysis and discussion of issues related to mining, energy, and infrastructure. Chaired by Representative Joaquim Passarinho (Pará), the committee brings together lawmakers from different states and is responsible for evaluating legislative proposals, overseeing public policies, and promoting discussions related to the development of Brazil’s mining sector.

The hearing featured presentations by Tales Machado, President of the Brazilian Natural Stone Association (Centrorochas); Maria Tereza Almeida Cunha de Castro, Industry and Public Policy Specialist at the National Confederation of Industry (CNI); and Inara Oliveira Barbosa, Superintendent of Mineral Economics and Geoinformation at the National Mining Agency (ANM).

During his remarks, Tales highlighted Brazil’s leadership position in the global natural stone industry, currently ranking as the world’s fourth-largest producer and fifth-largest exporter. He emphasized that the country’s competitive advantage lies in its ability to transform raw materials into higher value-added products, the result of decades of investment in industrialization, technology, and market development.

The Centrorochas President also underscored the importance of the State of Espírito Santo to the national production chain. The state accounts for approximately 80% of Brazil’s natural stone exports and is home to the country’s leading stone processing hub, having established itself as an international reference in the transformation and commercialization of natural stone materials.

Addressing the challenges facing the industry’s development, Tales Machado highlighted several priorities for the sector, including investments in logistics infrastructure, strengthening the National Mining Agency (ANM), modernizing licensing procedures, and preserving a business environment that supports exports of higher value-added products.

Another key topic was the recognition of the international promotion efforts carried out by Centrorochas in partnership with ApexBrasil through the sectoral project It’s Natural – Brazilian Natural Stone. The initiative has helped expand the presence of Brazilian natural stones in major consumer markets around the world and strengthen Brazil’s position as a supplier of high-value materials.

At the conclusion of the hearing, lawmakers and industry representatives emphasized the importance of continuing discussions with the relevant authorities, particularly regarding the priorities presented during the debate.

To watch the full hearing, please access:

https://www.youtube.com/live/r7pxoXvtlN0?si=B6S0_o3nEPn9GIlZ