Brazilian indigenous people in the Amazon region have blocked one of the country’s most important railways in a protest for better public services. The railway is owned by mining giant Vale and connects the world’s largest iron ore mine, Carajas, to a port on the northern coast near Sao Luis.
The track transports more than 100m tonnes of the mineral each year. It is the second time this week that the trains have been halted by protesters of neighbouring villages.
Protesters from several tribes burned wood on the railway in the Amazonian region of Alto Alegre do Pindare, demanding better transport, education, health and security.
Last week, they blocked the railway for two days. Earlier this week, residents of another village near Sao Luis, in the state of Maranhao, also stopped the trains in a protest. They want Vale to act on their behalf in negotiations with the authorities.
Because of the protests, the passenger train that transports about 1,500 passengers a day between the city of Parauapebas, in Para, and Sao Luis has not resumed its regular service since last week.
Despite having a court authorisation to evict the protesters at any time, Vale chose not to enforce it, the world’s second largest mining company said in a statement.
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