Brazil's mining regulator has kicked off a process to hire 40 new mining specialists to be more effective.

New hires will be deployed to assist ANM with implementing mining policy, as well as promoting and inspecting exploration and exploitation, BNAmericas reported. Specialists are required to inspect deposits, in addition to monitoring and analysing geological and mine technology research.

The regulator has gone for several years without making new hires, while Brazil has been the site of two substantial and deadly mining disasters in Brumadinho and Mariana.

"Today, ANM only has geologists and mining engineers, but it has no lawyers, no biologists, no environmental engineers, so it's not an agency that works appropriately for the development of the sector," former ANM director Eduardo Leao told BNAmericas.

The average age of staffers at ANM is 57, evidence that there has been no renewal of staff, Leao said.

ANM said it has requested authorisation to hire an additional 150 staffers, but has not yet received approval.

Applications for the 40 positions must be submitted by January 10.