The organisations have demanded complete transparency in awarding any licences.

The signatories of the communiqué sent to Lusa said they were “deeply concerned” about the request by Fortescue Metals Group Exploration Pty Ltd., for prospecting rights for gold, silver, lead, zinc, copper, lithium, tin and other metal deposits in an area called “Boa Vista”.

They also demand “complete and effective clarification for the local population and rigorous environmental impact studies by independent entities.