Canada-based Brazil Potash, whose subsidiary Potassio do Brasil is developing the Autazes Potash Project in Amazonas State in Brazil, said on Sept. 26 that the Mura Indigenous people have voted to support the construction of the project. The company said this was a major milestone and the vote came after the Mura completed full, prior, and informed consultations.
Advancement of the $2.5 billion, 2.2 million mt/y project has been delayed to gain the approval of the Mura (GM Sept. 1, p. 27). Brazil Potash is a subsidiary of Canadian investment firm Forbes & Manhattan.
“Given the project’s location in Amazonas State on land deforested by prior owners, it is particularly important this project is developed on a sustainable basis by ensuring key stakeholders’ voices, such as the Mura, are heard and respected,” said Adriano Espeschit, Brazil Potash President.
“It is also important to note this project is of global importance as it will contribute meaningfully towards achieving global food security by ensuring farmers in Brazil, who export the highest net amount of agricultural goods globally, will have a secure domestic source of potash fertilizer,” he added.
“The Autazes Potash Project has received unanimous support from the leaders of the Mura People in Autazes,” said Jose Claudio dos Santos Pereira, Coordinator of the Mura Indigenous Council (CIM).
“For us, this is of great importance as it symbolizes the future and economic improvement of Autazes and the state of Amazonas,” he continued. “However, it’s crucial to emphasize that the Mura people understand that we are cooperating with federal justice, and we have no intention of opposing [the project]. We recognize that Institute of Environmental Protection of Amazonas (IPAAM) is the licensing authority and that they must carry on the process.”
Brazil Potash said it still needs the National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (FUNAI) to complete their review of the company’s Indigenous Consultation Study (ECI), which is one of the last items needed prior to issuance of the Installation License required to start project construction. FUNAI is the Brazilian government’s indigenous people’s agency.
However, federal prosecutors based in Manaus maintain that the vote was not unanimous and that Mura community leaders were misled into signing minutes the company construed as an approval of the mine, according to a Reuters report. Prosecutors also said an August lower court ruling is in effect that suspended the mine’s license, but this is disputed by Brazil Potash, which cited an earlier April ruling by a superior court approving a preliminary license as granted by IPAAM (GM April 14, p. 27).
“You have a few people who decided not to support the project, but they are by far the minority,” Brazil Potash CEO Matt Simpson was quoted as saying in an interview with the news service.
The company said its project is not located on indigenous land, but it is within six miles of two indigenous reserves. Following International Labor 169 protocols, the Mura decided which tribes would be consulted, the consultation format, and vote support threshold. The company said the Mura consulted with 36 tribes ranging from those located close to the project to some over 45 miles away. More than 200 Mura participated in the vote, and the company said more than 60% approved the mine.
Brazil Potash said benefits to the Mura include direct employment, funding, and support to start new businesses that will contribute to the project and local communities, and the implementation of several initiatives to improve general well-being as determined by the Mura’s well-being program.