Steinmetz and three BSGR directors argued that Global Witness had obtained personal information about them without authorization and wanted it to be forced to reveal what specific data it held.
According to the legislators, international mining companies —mainly from Australia, Canada and the U.K— are using the forced labour of Eritreans in their operations.
The court said Vale had failed to convince him to dismiss the case in which it is accused of conspiring to steal Rio's rights for part of iron ore reserve potentially worth billions.