Brazil to open indigenous reserves to mining in major sector overhaul
Washington — The government of Brazil's right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro is preparing an overhaul of mining sector regulations that will include opening up indigenous reserves to mining, the country's mines and energy minister says. Mining in indigenous reserves is currently prohibited. Minister Bento Albuquerque said Brazil plans to overhaul mining rules to prevent future disasters such as the dam burst at a Vale facility in January that killed hundreds and also allow for more economic growth in the sector, including mineral exports. “That legislative effort shall also include the regulation of the use of indigenous and other areas according to what the Brazilian federal constitution states,” Albuquerque said at an event in Washington. Brazil's 1988 constitution states that mining can only be conducted in indigenous areas under rules approved by the country's congress that ensure the indigenous communities affected benefit. But the congress never established such rules, effectiv...
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