Earlier this year, the UN Special rapporteur for human rights defenders raised concerns about a Canadian company called Belo Sun Mining. She said people protesting the Belo Sun mine, who she refers to as land defenders, report being threatened, harassed and intimidated – some even say they were driven off their land. 

But Belo Sun denies these allegations, saying that they care about human rights, and that the project would bring much needed economic development to an impoverished area –  and the government of Brazil has seemingly supported their efforts.  

So who is Belo Sun – and how did they become the driving force behind the biggest proposed gold mine in Brazil? Are they guilty of the things that they’re accused of? And if so, what can the Canadian government do to stop it? 

Host: Jesse Brown  

Credits: Cherise Seucharan (Reporter), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Sam Konnert (Audio Editor), max collins (Production Manager), Bruce Thorson (Senior Producer) 

Additional music by Audio Network

Further reading:

• Canada failing to protect human rights activists from mining companies operating overseas: UN watchdog – Globe and Mail, 2024
• Canadian miner’s quest for gold meets politics in the Amazon jungle – Globe and Mail, 2014
• Canadian miners get high-level lobbying boost for Brazilian Amazon projects – Mongabay, translated from original by Agência Pública 
• BSX Responds to UN Special Rapporteur Allegations About Its Business Conduct – Belo Sun

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