ESG

Bolsonaro seeks to open indigenous lands for exploitation

Brazil’s president Jair Bolsonaro has presented a bill before Congress to incentivise large-scale mining and oil production on protected lands of indigenous communities.

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro

The proposal seeks to amend article 231 of the country's constitution about resource utilisation so that natural resource project owners would not have to consult with indigenous communities. Instead, they would seek direct approval from congress to avoid community groups from being able to frustrate project developments.

"This is a big step forward, but it will face pressure from environmentalists," he said during a speech.

Environmental and indigenous groups warned such a move would accelerate deforestation in Brazil.

The contents of the bill go against the obligations Brazil has as a signatory to ILO 169, which it ratified in 2002, which recognises and protects tribal peoples' land rights and established standards regarding consultation and consent.

For the bill to pass congress and become law, however, the president needs to secure the backing of powerful voting blocks, including those linked with large agro-industrial states. This is by no means guaranteed given the international pressure already coming to bear on the agro industry due to deforestation.

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the farming sector, brought to you by the Kondinin team.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Mining Equities Report 2023

Access an exclusive, inside look on the quarterly mining IPOs and secondary raisings data and mining equities performance tables with an annual Stock Exchange Comparisons supplement.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2023 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 121 jurisdictions globally, built on 11 ‘hard risk’ metrics and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2023: Social licence

Gain insights into social licence trends and best practices from interviews with 20+ top mining company executives and an industrywide survey.