World · Latin America · 14 hrs ago
Witnesses allege harm linked to Canadian mining at regional hearing
At a hearing in Panama, representatives from six countries raised alleged harm linked to Canadian mining before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.
An Indigenous fish-farmer from Ecuador said the El Domo copper and gold mine is causing deforestation and water pollution near his home.
The mine is owned by Vancouver-based Silvercorp Metals and Salazar Resources, and the alleged damage threatens local ecosystems and livelihoods.
Witnesses also described alleged attacks on environmental defenders linked to mining operations.
The hearing comes after Canada eliminated its office for investigating complaints about overseas harm linked to Canadian companies, leaving advocates with fewer ways to seek remedies.
Civil society witnesses asked the commission to recommend stronger laws, independent oversight and better access to redress for affected communities.
The commission can make non-binding recommendations, and witnesses want Canada to act on them.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights heard testimony in Panama on Oct. 27 about alleged harm linked to Canadian mining companies in Latin America.
Witnesses from six countries raised concerns, including alleged attacks on environmental defenders.
Marco Manobanda, an Indigenous fish-farmer from Ecuador, said the El Domo copper and gold mine is causing deforestation and water contamination.
Civil society witnesses asked the commission to recommend mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence legislation in Canada.
The hearing took place about four months after Canada eliminated the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise.
- Who
- Representatives from six countries, including Ecuadorian Indigenous fish-farmer Marco Manobanda, testified.
- What
- They alleged harm, including environmental damage and attacks on defenders, linked to Canadian mining companies.
- When
- Oct. 27; the article was published Oct. 31, 2026.
- Where
- At a hearing of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Panama.
- Why
- The commission examined Canada’s obligations regarding the overseas human rights and environmental impacts of its extractive companies.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
In Ecuador, military and police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse a peaceful protest, injuring multiple people.
The Canadian government eliminated the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights heard testimony in Panama from representatives of six countries.
- Countries represented
- Six
- Hearing date
- Oct. 27
- Location
- Panama
- Mine named by Manobanda
- El Domo copper and gold mine
- Companies named
- Silvercorp Metals Inc. and Salazar Resources Ltd.
1 source
What people are saying
If this mining continues, they’re going to keep polluting our water, and we’ll run out of resources. And since we make our living from that land and its resources, where are we supposed to go?