Environmental defenders testify about attacks in Latin America linked to Canadian mining companies
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights heard testimony Oct. 27 from representatives of six countries alleging harm linked to Canadian mining companies’ operations, including four alleged attacks on environmental defenders. The regional agency gathered in Panama to examine Canada’s obligations with respect to its extractive companies and their impact overseas on human rights and the […]
On October 27, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights convened in Panama to hear testimony from six countries, alleging harm caused by Canadian mining companies' operations, with a focus on four attacks on environmental defenders. The regional agency assessed Canada's responsibilities towards its extractive industries and the repercussions on human rights and the environment overseas.
Canada is the home to approximately half of the world's publicly listed mining and mineral exploration companies, with operations both within the country and internationally. The recent disclosures augment pre-existing apprehensions about the behavior of Canadian mining companies abroad.
Marco Manobanda, an Indigenous fish-farmer from Las Naves, Ecuador, testified about the El Domo copper and gold mine, owned by Vancouver-based companies Silvercorp Metals Inc. and Salazar Resources Ltd. Manobanda expressed concerns about deforestation and water contamination resulting from the mine, highlighting the impact on the ecosystem and his livelihood.
He warned that continued mining operations would lead to further pollution of water resources, leaving him and his community with no viable alternative, as they depend on the land and its resources for their livelihood.
Written by urgent.news from Mongabay's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
