Panel SA: Founder of Localiza defends Bolsonaro’s project on mining in indigenous land

Businessman Salim Mattar, founder of Localiza, goes against the grain of a large part of the business community and defends the Bolsonaro government’s attempt to launch mining on indigenous lands in the Amazon.

“Option for delay. Financial figures and prestigious institutions have taken a stand against bill 191/2020, which allows for the exploration of oil, gas, minerals and other activities in indigenous lands. It is unacceptable to abandon subsoil riches and maintain the poor country,” wrote the businessman aligned with Bolsonaro on social media.

In another publication, days earlier, Mattar criticized a demonstration led by Caetano Veloso that held an act in Brasília against the bills that loosen environmental legislation.

“A group of left-wing artists went to the STF against the time frame and mining on indigenous lands. We hope that the ministers are careful and sensible in this judgment not to be influenced by popular figures who visited them. The country needs to exploit its riches,” he said. the founder of Localiza.

The president claims that the measure can help reduce dependence on imported fertilizers at a time when the war in Ukraine exposes fragility in the supply of the product.

However, Ibram itself (Instituto Brasileiro de Mineração), which has among its associates giants such as Gerdau, Vale and Mosaic Fertilizantes, released a statement stating that the bill is not adequate.

The Brazil Climate, Forests and Agriculture Coalition, which brings together the main Brazilian agribusiness associations, large companies in the sector, banks, academia and civil society, also prepared a note criticizing the project.

According to the coalition, mining on indigenous lands will not solve eventual fertilizer shortages, contrary to what the president defends.

In addition to recent public demonstrations on behalf of business associations, important figures in the private sector contest the Bolsonarist onslaught.

Joana Cunha with Andressa Motter and Ana Paula Branco