Canadian gold mining company Belo Sun Mining is being prosecuted by the Brazilian public ministry for their Volta Grande gold mine, located in the Amazon forest. According to environmentalists and federal authorities, Belo Sun has failed to release studies that  address the cultural and environmental damage their operation would cause to the area.

  In addition to  lack of research, the questionable intentions of Belo Sun are highlighted from the discrepancy between initial mineral reports, reported as 37.8 million tonnes and current reports which are listed as 88.1 million tonnes leading us to further question Belo Sun’s intentions, as a larger operation would create more damage than initially projected.

  The Amazon  is home to more than ten million species of plants and animals, many of which are exclusive to the area or endangered. The rainforest, which spans more than 2.5 million square miles, is estimated to produce more than 20% of the world’s oxygen. While it is full of untapped resources ready to be exploited, the repercussion that may follow the disruption of such a delicate ecosystem will be far greater than Belo Sun and the local population.

Effects of gold mining in the state of Para where Volta Grande is set to begin production in 2016.

Sources:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/latin-american-business/brazil-prosecutors-seek-to-block-canadian-gold-mine-in-amazon/article14259270/

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20130911-710760.html

http://www.unique-southamerica-travel-experience.com/amazon-rainforest-facts.html

http://phys.org/news/2012-05-gold-latin-america-amazon.html