DiCaprio joins opposition to Belo Sun’s $300M Brazil mine

Leonardo DiCaprio has voiced his opposition to Belo Sun Mining’s proposed $300 million Volta Grande gold project in Brazil, adding a prominent voice to the controversy surrounding the development. The Canadian company aims to create what would be the country’s largest open-pit gold mine, but environmental concerns and Indigenous community opposition have emerged.

DiCaprio criticized the project on his social media accounts, drawing attention to the potential environmental and social impacts in the Pará state region. This intervention comes as Brazilian prosecutors and the National Indian Foundation (FUNAI) seek to overturn a recent court ruling that favored Belo Sun in its permitting efforts.

The dispute highlights the challenges faced by mining projects in Brazil, which can spend five to 10 years securing permits, amid growing scrutiny of the industry. DiCaprio, known for his environmental activism, has long supported Indigenous causes in the Amazon and beyond. His latest stance follows a call to action at New York Climate Week, where activists urged the public to listen to Indigenous voices opposing the Volta Grande project.

The company responded to DiCaprio’s criticism by disputing the claims made in his video, stating that the project does not take place on protected Indigenous lands and that it underwent thorough technical, environmental, and social studies over a decade. Belo Sun also claimed to have received formal approval from Indigenous communities, the Juruna and Arara, for the studies conducted and the licenses issued.

The outcome of this legal battle could significantly impact the permitting process and the future of one of Brazil’s most closely watched proposed gold developments.