SAO PAULO, April 16 (Reuters) - A local court in Brazil

has again suspended the operating license for Vale's

Brazilian Sossego copper mine, the company and the country's

Para state said.

The state won an appeal overturning a previous court ruling

that had reinstated the mine's operating license, Vale said.

Vale said in a filing late on Monday that it had become

aware of the latest decision, while adding it had not yet

received a formal notification from the court. It said it will

take appropriate legal measures to try to reverse the decision.

Para's environment department originally suspended the

license to operate Sossego, which had produced 66,800 metric

tons of copper in 2023, in February.

It flagged irregularities in an annual environmental report

and "non-compliance" on mining mitigation efforts that it said

resulted in conflicts with local communities.

Mining giant Vale later obtained an injunction temporarily

allowing it to resume operations.

The suspension will remain until conditions established in

the licensing and other control measures are verified, Para's

environment secretary said in a statement on Tuesday.

A Vale executive said in February that it did not see signs

of environmental or social breaches at the mine, adding that an

administrative issue could have led to the suspension and the

firm would work with authorities to resolve the matter.

Vale has been also in a court dispute against Para state

about its Onca Puma nickel mine, which earlier this month also

had its operating license suspended again.