Heineken cancels factory near Brazil's Lapa Vermelha archaeological site after activist protests

Heineken has decided to halt its plans for a bottling facility in Pedro Leopoldo, Minas Gerais, due to protests from Brazilian activists worried about the potential impact on the Lapa Vermelha archaeological site. This site is located just 800 meters from where the 'Luzia' skeleton, the oldest female remains in the Americas, was unearthed in 1974. An online petition, which attracted over 35,000 signatures, raised concerns regarding environmental degradation from water consumption and the potential for irreversible harm to various scientific fields. The region boasts over 600 caves with evidence of ancient life, supporting theories of multiple migration waves into the Americas. Mauro Homem, Heineken's corporate affairs director, noted that despite having an environmental license and court approval, the project faced opposition and would necessitate further studies, prompting the search for a different location. Local officials had backed the initiative for its job creation potential. The 'Luzia' skeleton suffered partial destruction in a 2018 fire at Brazil’s National Museum.