Vale has criticised a bill being considered by Brazil's Congress to mine on indigenous lands.

"Vale's performance is guided by the rest for the rights of indigenous peoples," the company said in a statement. It iterated its support for mining taking place only with Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) of Indigenous groups.

Brazil's regulatory framework also provides conditions for the participation of Indigenous peoples in regulating mining, the Vale statement said.

"The recognition of FPIC is essential to meet the rights of indigenous populations to determine their own development and the right to exercise self-determination in face of decisions that concern their territories," the statement said.

Vale said it does not have any mining rights on Indigenous lands in Brazil. It also said it is not carrying out any research or mining activities on Brazilian Indigenous lands.

The company relinquished all of its mining processes on Indigenous lands in the country, with withdrawal requests filed with the National Mining Agency (AGENCY) throughout 2021.

A report released in February accused Vale and other mining companies of undertaking mining processes on Indigenous land in Brazil. It charged that a host of mining companies received US$12.2 billion in investment to develop mining operations in Brazil.

The bill is highly controversial, with some mining companies and organisations of farmers demonstrating for the passage of the measure despite Indigenous opposition.

Brazil's far-right president Jair Bolsanaro attempted to fast-track passage of the bill two weeks ago, but was rebuffed by the Congress, which planned to set up a working group to study the bill. The working group is expected to report back in the beginning of April, Reuters reported.