08/10/07

Brazil`s mining sector has entered a dialogue with the federal government regarding mineral extraction activities within indigenous lands, Paulo Camillo Penna, president of local mining institute Ibram, told BNamericas. The 1988 constitution established that mining operations on indigenous lands would be authorized by the national congress. “There was a first attempt, back in 1991, to introduce a bill focused on this issue, which was not successful,” Penna said. Other attempts were made in following years, including a new version of the proposed bill, but have not advanced so far, according to the Ibram president.
;”The first official meeting [to discuss the topic with the government] occurred October 3. The mining sector is due to provide data regarding the draft bill,” said Penna. “There are very interesting experiences on mining on such lands in Canada, Australia and South Africa.” Indigenous lands account for 13% of Brazil`s territory, or 110Mha.

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