Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 3 hrs ago
Brazil’s Supreme Court suspends permit for Belo Sun’s Amazon gold mine
Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended a permit for Belo Sun’s proposed gold mine in Pará state, in the Amazon rainforest.
The Canadian company planned an open-pit mine beside the Xingu River, which has already been affected by the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam.
The court said required environmental checks and protections for Indigenous communities had not been fully demonstrated.
Indigenous communities have raised concerns about effects on the river, fish and their livelihoods, and some say they were not properly consulted; Belo Sun disputes that claim.
A proposed waste dam near the river has also raised concerns because a failure could release toxic substances downstream.
The mine could add pressure to an ecosystem and communities already affected by the dam.
The permit suspension is provisional, and further legal proceedings could include an agreement being considered by a federal court.
Indigenous opponents welcomed the decision but say their campaign will continue.
Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended the installation license for Belo Sun Mining Corp.’s proposed Volta Grande gold mine in Pará state.
Chief Justice Edson Fachin said the company had not demonstrated full compliance with environmental requirements and protections for Indigenous communities.
The proposed open-pit mine would be developed along the Xingu River, which has already been affected by the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam.
Indigenous communities and environmental groups have raised concerns about impacts on the river, local livelihoods and Indigenous rights.
The suspension is provisional while further legal proceedings continue.
- Who
- Brazil’s Supreme Court suspended a permit for Canadian company Belo Sun Mining Corp.
- What
- The court suspended the installation license for the proposed Volta Grande gold mine.
- When
- The decision was issued Monday and made public Tuesday; the article was published October 21, 2026.
- Where
- The proposed mine is along the Xingu River in Pará state, Brazil.
- Why
- Chief Justice Edson Fachin found that the company had not demonstrated full compliance with environmental requirements and protections for Indigenous communities.
Indigenous communities and mine opponents
Belo Sun Mining Corp.
Consultation
Indigenous communities and mine opponents
The Juruna and Arara communities have said they were not properly consulted about the project.
Belo Sun Mining Corp.
Belo Sun disputes that claim.
Project impacts
Indigenous communities and mine opponents
Opponents warn the mine and its proposed waste dam could worsen environmental pressures and threaten Indigenous livelihoods.
Belo Sun Mining Corp.
Not stated in the article.
A feasibility study said Belo Sun planned to extract 3.52 million ounces of gold over 17 years.
An independent assessment raised concerns about the proposed mining-waste dam near the Xingu River.
A lower court decision restored Belo Sun’s installation license.
Chief Justice Edson Fachin issued the decision suspending the installation license.
The Supreme Court decision was made public.
- Company
- Belo Sun Mining Corp., a Canadian company
- Project
- Proposed Volta Grande open-pit gold mine
- Location
- Xingu River, Pará state, Brazil
- Planned extraction
- 3.52 million ounces of gold over 17 years
- Proposed mine site
- 24 square kilometers
- Proposed waste dam capacity
- About 35 million cubic meters of mining waste and water
What people are saying
We know that even the slightest contamination of the river would destroy everything for us
It was happy news for us, even though we all know the fight isn’t over
We will keep fighting, keep pushing to get Belo
FUNAI has maintained that protections must cover all affected Indigenous communities, including those outside formally demarcated territories