Brazil Imposes New Mining Tax

Brazil’s largest mining state, Minas Gerais, imposed a new tax of 2.18 reals ($1.17) per metric on iron ore and other mined ores. For iron ore, it amounts to about 1% of the current price for prompt delivery. It was the second tax levied on the mining industry by a regional government in December. Brazil’s Para state, home to of Vale’s Carajas system, imposed a tax of 6.45 reals on iron ore. Legislators in Minas Gerais justified the tax, according to Latinominería, claiming that mining companies should contribute more to the cost of policing their operations.According to Reuters, Vale said the tax was illegal and said it was seeking to contest it.