DiCaprio Criticizes Mining on Brazilian Indigenous Territory

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Actor Leonardo DiCaprio used his social media to criticize the potential of opening the Brazilian Indigenous Lands to mining.

DiCaprio said that “despite Brazilian laws that make mining illegal in the Ianomâmi Indigenous Territory”, miners have invaded the protected areas, brought malaria and contaminated the rivers with mercury.

The actor’s criticism was backed up by an image of indigenous people who, using their bodies, formed the message “Mining, Out”. The recording was made in the Ianomâmi Indigenous Territory, in Roraima, on November 23rd. Approximately 120 indigenous people took part in shaping the message.

In addition to the Indians being against mining on their territories, the bulk of Brazil’s population also rejects Jair Bolsonaro’s proposal.

A recent Datafolha survey hired by the non-governmental organization ISA (Socio-Environmental Institute) shows that 86 percent of Brazilians disagree with allowing mineral exploration companies to enter indigenous territories.

Also recently, the MPF (Federal Prosecutor’s Office) brought actions to have the courts cancel mining at 48 indigenous territories in the state of Pará. According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the registration of mining – which does not imply authorization to explore, only interest in the potential of the area – violates the Federal Constitution and Convention 169 of the ILO (International Labor Organization), by which the need to consult indigenous peoples in case of measures affecting them is provided.

The MPF states that the registration of these areas in Indigenous ands may result in pressure and invasions.

In December, President Bolsonaro also stated that there should be cattle raising in indigenous territories.

“The price of meat has gone up. We have to raise more cattle here, to lower the price of meat and they can raise cattle,” Bolsonaro said at the entrance to the Alvorada Palace on December 19th. “The Indians will be able to do on their land just like what farmers do on their land,” he said. “If you want to take your land and rent it for someone to plant soy or corn, do it, respecting our legislation.”

The president said he intends to include the regulation of commercial agriculture and cattle-raising on indigenous lands in the bill to free mining in protected areas. The bill should be submitted to the legislative branch in 2020.