Mining-free territories and decolonial theory: Evaluating the synergies in the Brazilian context

We argue that mining-free territories (MFTs), a concept that has emerged in Brazil, may be a community-based strategy in dialogue with decolonial theory to reduce mineral socioeconomic dependency. Notably, MFTs have emerged as an outcome of the no-go zone proposition that has been discussed for decades in international arenas. The debate on MFTs has gained momentum in Brazil due to increasing conflicts involving mining projects. The article is based on a bibliographical review and documentary analysis of secondary data. It presents a theoretical debate that brings the concept of MFTs closer to the principles of decolonial thinking. Then, it describes mining activities in the Santo Antonio River Basin in Minas Gerais state. Moreover, as an illustrative example, it analyses the case of Carme ' sia, a municipality with high potential for developing economic activities unrelated to mineral extraction and, eventually, becoming an MFT.