Author:

Renata Santana de Oliveira

Abstract:

The objective of this study was to identify, based on the perception of parliamentarians, which lobbying tools are most effective for professionals in Institutional and Government Relations (IGR) within the mineral industry to advocate for the sector in the National Congress. Additionally, the study sought to understand the importance of using empirical evidence to persuade and support legislative decision-making. To achieve this, a theoretical review was conducted on the concept and purpose of lobbying, the legal aspects, and the state of the art regarding the regulation of the Institutional and Government Relations profession in Brazil. The study also explored the influence of lobbying and the main tools used in Congress that are supported by technical and scientific evidence with the use of empirical data. Furthermore, the key functions of the Legislative Branch were presented, along with the aspects transforming the National Congress’s power in relation to the Executive Branch. The methodology adopted in this exploratory research involved documentary analysis of the main groups representing lobbying efforts for the mineral industry in the National Congress. Additionally, an analysis was conducted on the typology of the Sustainable Parliamentary Front. To examine lobbying tools, a qualitative study was performed, based on semi-structured interviews with members of the Sustainable Mining Parliamentary Front, who are the primary stakeholders for the mineral industry in the National Congress. The research results indicate that these parliamentarians highlighted evidence-based technical grounding as the main tool for advocating for the mineral sector, emphasizing a consensus that mining is a complex sector that is difficult for both parliament and the public to fully understand. The parliamentarians also pointed out that communication with society, supported by technical grounding, is another fundamental lobbying tool for advocating for the sector in the National Congress, aiming to improve public opinion about the mineral industry and provide lawmakers with the confidence to work on the agenda. These two tools, along with existing mineral legislation, were identified by the parliamentarians as tactics already used by the mineral industry but still in a limited capacity. Thus, this research offers recommendations for improving the use of lobbying tools by the mineral industry.