Venezuela’s government and Jindal Steel have signed an agreement for the Indian company to run the country’s largest iron-ore-producing plant.

The governors of the country's lithium-producing provinces are drawing up plans for lithium miners to make a "special contribution" so state coffers can benefit from extraordinary profits.

In Friday's public statement, Sigma reiterated its previous position that the injunction would not hurt its expansion.

Provincial and federal officials want to tap the profits of lithium companies with an annual tax that would be put toward building infrastructure.

Both the Tia Maria project and the Las Bambas copper mine have been heavily opposed by local communities.

The union says BHP is looking to reduce benefits and production bonuses while extending working hours.

A Brazilian court injunction is halting the sale or mining of two plots of land where Sigma Lithium is planning open pits.

The initiative consists of building a tunnel that will connect Atacocha and Porvenir mines.