Founding Partner of William Freire & Associates
William Freire is a lawyer and founding partner of William Freire & Associates. He earned his law degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and serves as the Director of the Mining Law Department at the Institute of Lawyers of Minas Gerais (IAMG). A professor of Mining Law and Environmental Law Applied to Mining, he teaches in various postgraduate programs and has authored numerous specialized articles. As an experienced international speaker, he has lectured at the Faculty of Law at San Martín de Porres University in Peru, as well as in Chile and Argentina. He has also conducted training programs for members of Mozambique’s Ministry of Energy and Mines. With over 100 lectures and training sessions delivered, he has built an extensive academic and professional track record.
Brazil’s commitment to high compliance and sustainability standards is shaping the future of its gemstone sector and could serve as a global benchmark for responsible gemstone mining. However, achieving these standards presents challenges, particularly for small-scale miners, who often struggle with access to legal frameworks, financial resources, and technical support. This session will explore how Brazil is balancing environmental and ethical responsibilities with the realities of gemstone mining. Moderator : Manoel Bernardes
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