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Vale moves closer to deal for Onca Puma nickel mine to resume operations

Vale and the Brazilian state of Para have actually moved more detailed to an agreement that might allow the mining group to resume operations at its Onca Puma nickel mine, according to the minutes of a conference seen by on Tuesday.

Onca Puma, which has an estimated annual small capacity of 27,000 metric loads, had its operating license suspended earlier this year after Para's environment department flagged irregularities in a yearly environmental report.

The state in northern Brazil also mentioned non-compliance on mining mitigation efforts that it said resulted in conflicts with local neighborhoods.

Vale, which has kept since February it did not see indications of environmental or social breaches at the mine, brought the matter to courts and the parties had a conciliation hearing before Brazil's Supreme Court on Monday.

The hearing concluded with both Vale and the state signaling they are willing to discover a method to solve the stalemate, the minutes revealed.

The primary obstacle in the case revolved around Vale's alleged non-compliance with actions to mitigate impacts arising from mining activities.

The state recognized 14 points that it considered to show unacceptable compliance by Vale, which committed to resubmitting an environmental impact report meeting Para's. requirements.

The company also dedicated to employing local employees,. offering scholarships in the region, and assisting to protect. local wildlife, signifying both celebrations were aligned on problems. considered most sensitive, according to the document.

The state's leading district attorney will take the recommendations from. this hearing to the governor for the purpose of evaluating the. resumption of Vale's activities, the minutes said, including a. further conference is expected to take place on June 20.

Vale and Para have actually likewise consented to start a dialogue about the. Sossego copper mine, whose operating license was suspended. previously this year for similar factors. Sossego produced 66,800. metric tons of copper in 2023.

(source: Reuters)