Vale, a leading mining company, has obtained a preliminary license for its Bacaba copper project in the Brazilian Amazon, which is part of a broader strategy to double its copper production by 2035. This initiative comes amid a global surge in copper demand, driven by its essential role in renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. However, the project raises alarms among environmental experts due to its proximity to conservation areas, which could lead to increased deforestation, water shortages, and pollution. The Bacaba project is expected to produce at least 50,000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually, extending operations at the Sossego mining complex. While Vale's investment is seen as economically beneficial, it has reignited concerns about the socio-environmental impacts of mining in the Amazon, particularly regarding local communities and biodiversity.