Brazilian mining giant Vale announced Thursday that it plans to invest 2.1 billion U.S. dollars for its energy supply during 2008-2010 despite criticism over the subsequent environmental impact.

   Tito Martins, Vale's Director of Corporate Affairs, said the company plans to build thermoelectric power plants to ensure adequate and fast energy supply. Vale has invested 760 million dollars in energy projects.

   Referring to the possible environmental damage especially in the Amazon rainforest region, Martins said Vale has wide experience in reforestation as part of its restoration programs aimed at healing the land degraded by its mining activities.

   Protesters from Landless Workers Movement (MST), one of the largest social groups in Latin America, have threatened to storm the company and disrupt the railway it operates in the Amazon region.

   The mining giant has refused to negotiate with the MST. "We do not negotiate, that is an attribution of the government," it said.

   Vale has been increasingly targeted by the MST, which accused the company of degrading the environment and called for the re-nationalization of the mining giant, privatized in the 1990s.