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Observations of individual massive stars, super-luminous supernovae, gamma-ray bursts, and gravitational wave events involving spectacular black hole mergers indicate that the low-metallicity Universe is fundamentally different from our own Galaxy. Many transient phenomena will remain enigmatic until we achieve a firm understanding of the physics and evolution of massive stars at low metallicity (Z). The Hubble Space Telescope has devoted 500 orbits to observing ∼250 massive stars at low Z in the ultraviolet (UV) with the COS and STIS spectrographs under the ULLYSES programme. The complementary X-Shooting ULLYSES (XShootU) project provides an enhanced legacy value with high-quality optical and near-infrared spectra obtained with the wide-wavelength coverage X-shooter spectrograph at ESO’s Very Large Telescope. We present an overview of the XShootU project, showing that combining ULLYSES UV and XShootU optical spectra is critical for the uniform determination of stellar parameters such as effective temperature, surface gravity, luminosity, and abundances, as well as wind properties such as mass-loss rates as a function of Z. As uncertainties in stellar and wind parameters percolate into many adjacent areas of astrophysics, the data and modelling of the XShootU project is expected to be a game changer for our physical understanding of massive stars at low Z. To be able to confidently interpret James Webb Space Telescope spectra of the first stellar generations, the individual spectra of low-Z stars need to be understood, which is exactly where XShootU can deliver.

Silva et al. (Land Use Policy, 21 July 2020) offer an assessment of the links between deforestation, livestock production and exports in Brazil. Their analysis, based on relative changes in beef production and pasture area across the whole of Brazil, showed an “apparent decoupling of the link between beef production and deforestation in Brazil”. In reanalysing these links, we find that Silva et al. underestimate the strong, positive and significant associations between Brazilian livestock production and deforestation. Moreover, despite focusing the title, abstract and the beginning of their manuscript on the Amazon, their analyses are conducted at the national level, and fail to recognise marked differences in the development trajectories of Brazilian biomes, and that most of the recent pasture expansion in Brazil has replaced Amazonian forests. To progress any debate and aid decision-making regarding land-use changes in the Amazon, a region often in the spotlight and subjected to many debates that lack evidence, scientists must be open and scrupulous with their data sources and analyses. © 2020

Silva et al. (Land Use Policy, 21 July 2020) offer an assessment of the links between deforestation, livestock production and exports in Brazil. Their analysis, based on relative changes in beef production and pasture area across the whole of Brazil, showed an “apparent decoupling of the link between beef production and deforestation in Brazil”. In reanalysing these links, we find that Silva et al. underestimate the strong, positive and significant associations between Brazilian livestock production and deforestation. Moreover, despite focusing the title, abstract and the beginning of their manuscript on the Amazon, their analyses are conducted at the national level, and fail to recognise marked differences in the development trajectories of Brazilian biomes, and that most of the recent pasture expansion in Brazil has replaced Amazonian forests. To progress any debate and aid decision-making regarding land-use changes in the Amazon, a region often in the spotlight and subjected to many debates that lack evidence, scientists must be open and scrupulous with their data sources and analyses. © 2020

Details are given of research programmes to analyse and rank abandoned mine sites in relation to their potential environmental impact. The assessment was based on geological and mineralogical aspects of the deposits, the ore extraction and processing methods used and the size, composition and stability of the tailings. Aspects relating to land and water use and to the impacts on the landscape around the mining areas were also taken into account. Detailed geological and mine mapping of the major massive sulphides mines in the Portuguese sector is currently being undertaken. The mapping process is being integrated into a mining heritage programme, developed with local authorities and government environment and tourism agencies, with the objective of sustainable development of geo-mining tourism. Other research programmes developed for the S. Domingos and Aljustrel mines are based on the application of new monitoring techniques such as remote sensing and detailed multi- element analysis of soils, streams, rocks, ores and mine waters. The Lousal and Caveira mines are also discussed., Details are given of research programmes to analyse and rank abandoned mine sites in relation to their potential environmental impact. The assessment was based on geological and mineralogical aspects of the deposits, the ore extraction and processing methods used and the size, composition and stability of the tailings. Aspects relating to land and water use and to the impacts on the landscape around the mining areas were also taken into account. Detailed geological and mine mapping of the major massive sulphides mines in the Portuguese sector is currently being undertaken. The mapping process is being integrated into a mining heritage programme, developed with local authorities and government environment and tourism agencies, with the objective of sustainable development of geo-mining tourism. Other research programmes developed for the S. Domingos and Aljustrel mines are based on the application of new monitoring techniques such as remote sensing and detailed multi- element analysis of soils, streams, rocks, ores and mine waters. The Lousal and Caveira mines are also discussed.

Reconnaissance exploration for gold and other metals, in an area of flyschoid metasediments belonging to the pre-Ordovician Schist-Greywacke Complex, identified a considerable number of mineralometric gold anomalies in panned heavy mineral concentrates. A project was formulated to investigate the metallogenic potential of the Castelo Branco area and the origins of the mineralogical anomalies. Greywackes, schists, black schists and calcic lenses have been strongly affected by contact metamorphism during granite emplacement and have been folded and faulted during the Hercynian orogeny, with numerous brecciated quartz veins and lenses filling the faults and fractures. Electron microprobe analysis of individual, panned gold grains has revealed a characteristically bimodal distribution of Ag values and an apparent relationship of gold with Zn, Cr, Ni and possibly As, rather than more usual pathfinder elements., Reconnaissance exploration for gold and other metals, in an area of flyschoid metasediments belonging to the pre-Ordovician Schist-Greywacke Complex, identified a considerable number of mineralometric gold anomalies in panned heavy mineral concentrates. A project was formulated to investigate the metallogenic potential of the Castelo Branco area and the origins of the mineralogical anomalies. Greywackes, schists, black schists and calcic lenses have been strongly affected by contact metamorphism during granite emplacement and have been folded and faulted during the Hercynian orogeny, with numerous brecciated quartz veins and lenses filling the faults and fractures. Electron microprobe analysis of individual, panned gold grains has revealed a characteristically bimodal distribution of Ag values and an apparent relationship of gold with Zn, Cr, Ni and possibly As, rather than more usual pathfinder elements.