Vale told to pay $26.8m in damages to indigenous tribes
A Brazilian court has ordered Vale (NYSE:VALE) to pay two indigenous tribes $26.8 million over river contamination and public health-related issues caused by the company’s nickel-extracting operations in the northern state of Pará.
The judge also instructed Vale to halt operations at Onça Puma nickel mine until it meets certain environmental requirements and the company compensates the Xikrin and Kayapo tribes.
Vale said in a statement quoted by Fórum that it would appeal the decision as “experts’ reports show that the venture has not caused any harm to the Catete river and the indigenous communities.”
The company added that the court decision did not bring anything new to “a case that is still ongoing.”