A bill to regulate mineral exploration and mining on Indian lands has cleared another hurdle in the Brazilian Congress, but as it moves through the legislative hoops it is drawing stepped-up criticism from environmental and Indian-rights groups. Proposed Law 1610/96 last month won approval in the Chamber of Deputies’ Amazon Commission by a vote of 12 to 5, following its passage earlier the chamber’s Mines and Energy Commission. The bill sets forth procedures indigenous communities may use to seek administrative relief, including compensation in the event their lands are damaged by mineral exploration. Supporters say the legislation will promote regional development. But nonprofit opponents contend it has been drafted to conform to the wishes of the mining industry. On the issue of compensatory... [Log in to read more]