Environmental groups warn that Bolsonarois is using the Ukraine crisis as a pretext to rush a bill that would allow mining.
Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro is pushing for a law to allow mining on Indigenous reserves, seizing on global fertiliser shortfalls caused by the Ukraine War.
The speakers office stated that the chief whip of Congress in the lower chamber had collected enough signatures on Tuesday to speed-track the bill, meaning it could go to a full vote without any committee hearings.
Bolsonaro stated Monday that the crisis between Russia and Ukraine is a great opportunity for us. We have a bill in Congress which will allow us to extract those Indigenous lands.
Brazil is a major food producer and importer of potash. Potash is a powder made from the ashes of burnt wood that can be used as fertilizer. 85 percent of fertilizer used in Brazil’s grain crops is imported. Russia has stopped exports, so Brazil has had to import 25% of its potash needs.
Bolsonaro has reduced environmental enforcement in Amazon and defunded the government’s Indigenousprotection agency Funai. He has long advocated for more mining and commercial farming in Amazon to create jobs, and reduce poverty.
Bolsonaro, a strong advocate for mining the Amazon since his presidential campaign of 2018, has promised to discover the rainforests vast mineral riches. Prominers have shown great support for Bolsonaro’s pro-mining stance. He is widely expected back to run for reelection in October.
Brazil has large underground potash reserves in the Amazon rainforest. These include lands inhabited and surrounded by Indigenous people whose concerns have slowed down some mining projects over the years.
Bolsonaro issued two decrees last month to encourage gold prospecting, with a particular focus on the Amazon rainforest.
Federal prosecutors, geologists, and environmental rights groups warn that Bolsonarois is using the Ukraine crisis as a pretext to pass a bill that would allow oil exploration, mining, and hydroelectric dams on Indigenous lands that are protected by Brazil’s constitution.
These are activities that aren’t allowed on Indigenous lands at present, said Suzi Huff theodoro, a geologist, professor at University of Brasilia.
She said that even though the mineral reserves may not be exactly under Indigenous lands protection, there should be a buffer zone to protect adjacent tribal communities from the environmental and social impacts of mining.
The Indigenous Public Prosecutor’s Office stated in a statement that the bill was illegal and could result in the disappearance or reorganization of some Indigenous tribes in Amazonia.
Brazil’s powerful farm lobby holds the power in Congress and supports passage of the bill. If party whips agree to vote it to a vote, the bill could be cleared the lower house as quickly as Wednesday.
Brazilian researchers claimed this week that Bolsonaro is using the Ukraine crisis to advance his mining bill. This is because most of the country’s potash reserves have not been located in Indigenous reservations.
According to a University of Minas Gerais study, only one-third of these reserves can be found in the Amazon. Only 11 percent of these reserves could be claimed by Indigenous communities.
According to the study, Brazil could have enough potash reserves to cover its needs through 2100.
