Panel on Sustainability and Compliance to Be Moderated by IBGM’s Vice President of Education and Innovation
As a key player in the global gemstone market, Brazil continues to navigate the challenge of ensuring that its mining sector is both sustainable and internationally competitive. At the ICA Congress 2025, one of the most anticipated panels — “Brazil’s Gemstone Industry: A Leader in Compliance and Sustainable Practices” — will tackle this critical topic, exploring how the country can balance economic development, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance in gemstone extraction.
The session will showcase companies from the Precious Brazil project, an initiative led by the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM) in partnership with the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil), which supports the international promotion of Brazilian gemstone and jewelry companies.
Bringing together a panel of prominent experts, the discussion will feature Manoel Bernardes, IBGM’s Vice President of Education and Innovation; Prof. Dr. Adriano Mol, Director of the Gem Design and Lapidary Center; Prof. Giorgio de Tomi, Director of the Responsible Small-Scale Mining Research Center at USP; Dr. William Freire, founding partner of William Freire & Associates; and Ara Vartanian, renowned jewelry designer.
Challenges of Sustainability in Gemstone Mining
According to Manoel Bernardes, Brazil benefits from a robust legal framework that supports sustainable mining — yet implementation remains a major hurdle. “We have some of the most advanced environmental protection laws in the world, but legislation alone is not enough. Regulatory agencies must act in concert: the National Mining Agency needs to streamline permit approvals, while the Ministry of the Environment and state-level agencies must create clearer, more supportive rules for small-scale mining,” he explains.
The ICA Congress panel will explore ways to position mining in Brazil as a global benchmark for best practices. Beyond the difficulties faced by small-scale miners, illegal mining remains a major issue. “The fight against illegal mining, especially in Indigenous lands, must be closely monitored by the Federal Police and IBAMA. The successful implementation of these policies requires a coordinated effort from multiple stakeholders to ensure each fulfills their role effectively.”
For Bernardes, one of the biggest industry challenges is aligning international market expectations with Brazil’s mining reality. Traceability from extraction to commercialization is becoming increasingly demanded by global buyers. “If Brazil successfully implements a blockchain system or another tracking mechanism that meets international standards, it will certainly gain a competitive edge. Large companies want to ensure that gemstones are sourced sustainably and in compliance with environmental regulations.”
ICA Congress and the Future of the Industry
The ICA Congress is one of the most important events in the gemstone industry, bringing together professionals from across the colored gemstone supply chain to discuss the future of the sector. In 2025, the event will focus on sustainability, supply chain transparency, and the role of technology in improving industry processes.
The panel on Brazil’s gemstone industry will provide insights on how public policies can be improved and how private sector initiatives can contribute to more responsible mining. “Our goal is to raise awareness among policymakers about the need for coordinated action among all regulatory agencies. The legal framework already exists, but we must ensure its efficient enforcement so that Brazil’s mining sector aligns with global market expectations.”
In a sector increasingly driven by sustainability and traceability, Brazil’s active role at the ICA Congress 2025 not only underscores its leadership potential but also opens new doors in the global marketplace.
About ApexBrasil
The Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency (ApexBrasil) works to promote Brazilian products and services abroad and attract foreign investment to strategic sectors of the Brazilian economy. In order to achieve its goals, ApexBrasil carries out several trade promotion initiatives aimed at promoting Brazilian products and services abroad, such as prospective and trade missions, business rounds, support to the participation of Brazilian companies in major international fairs, visits of foreign buyers and opinion makers to learn about the Brazilian productive structure, among other business platforms that also aim at strengthening the Brazil brand. The Agency also acts in a coordinated way with public and private players to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) to Brazil with a focus on strategic sectors for the development of the competitiveness of Brazilian companies and the country.
About IBGM
The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association is a national, non-profit private entity founded in 1977. Its mission is to represent, integrate, develop, and promote all segments of the gem, jewelry, and fashion jewelry chain. The association works as an advocate for their interests and by promoting knowledge transfer, trust, and appreciation of their products among consumers.
About Precious Brazil
The Industry Sector Project Precious Brazil aims to support and promote Brazilian companies in the Minerals, gemstones, jewelry, and fashion accessories segments that seek to export their products, whether they are beginners, exporters, or already internationalized. Coordinated by IBGM – The Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association in partnership with ApexBrasil – Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency – the project currently serves approximately 150 companies in the industry.
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