September 23, 2024
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CANADALAND
1028
#1028 The Canadian Plan to Dig a Goldmine in the Amazon
A small Canadian firm wants to build the largest goldmine in Brazil. But there’s no shortage of questions, allegations, investigations and legal battles swirling around the proposed project. Are local subsistence miners making false claims to drive Canadian competition off their land? Are Canadian mining executives violating human rights for an estimated $8 billion payout? Why is the UN investigating? What should the role of the Canadian government be in all this?
Cherise Seucharan
Reporter, CANADALAND
Jesse Brown
Host & Publisher
Sam Konnert
Producer
Caleb Thompson
Audio Editor
Bruce Thorson
Senior Producer

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

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