Brazilian representatives to have the final word on mining in indigenous land

Brazilian MP Édio Lopes, responsible for making a report of the Bill of Law 1.610/1996, which authorizes mining activities in indigenous land, said he will present its report after the local elections to be held on Sunday. Brazilian newspaper “DCI” got some information on the document. Lopes suggested all mining claims in indigenous land to be auctioned, and the minimum bid would be made for the indigenous tribes, at “2% of the gross income and benefits such as healthcare and education”, without elaborating.

The MP says his report “tried to equilibrate the different interests concerned”, and some 10,000 filings for mineral research in the Brazilian indigenous land were already submitted. Also, Lopes said his report is facing very little opposition, even from the mining industry. “I talked to 12 indigenous communities in the Amazon and they backed the report. Only a few indigenous that travel abroad at the expenses of non-governmental groups is against it”, he criticized.

The “DCI” read the MP’s report on the PL 1.610/1996. It reads that Brazil’s Mineral Production Department (DNPM) will be responsible to hold auctions for research and exploration of mining resources in the indigenous land. The process can be started by the government or by an interested company. The country’s authority for the indigenous (Funai) will promote hearings with the involved communities. If they oppose to the exploration, a commission formed by Funai, the DNPM, the Brazilian environmental authority (Ibama), the House of Representatives and the Senate will deliberate on the case.

Then the commission’s decision will be submitted to the Congress, which will have the final word on the mining activities in the indigenous land.