Controversial Mining Project in Brazil’s Amazon Awaits Court Decision
In Brazil, a mining project called the Volta Grande gold mine is facing a crucial moment. The Brazilian court in Brasília will soon decide whether the federal government or local officials in Pará state will control the environmental permits for this significant project.
The Volta Grande mine, operated by the Canadian company Belo Sun, aims to extract gold from a site near the Xingu River. This river is already affected by the nearby Belo Monte dam, which has altered its flow and harmed local communities.
Belo Sun has pushed for this mine since 2012. A 2015 feasibility study showed that the company plans to remove about 3.52 million ounces of gold, digging up over 600 million tons of material across 24 square kilometers. This would impact 125 hectares of the Amazon rainforest. In 2021, scientists from the University of São Paulo and the University of Amazonas warned that the mine posed too many risks and should not be approved. They were especially concerned about its tailings dam, which could release toxic waste into the river if it fails.
The project would displace 813 families, according to the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB). These families have already struggled due to drought caused by the Belo Monte dam’s operations.
A recent analysis from Amazon Watch estimated that the mine could emit about 3.7 million tons of carbon dioxide, contributing to climate change. This figure assumes one ton of CO2 is emitted for every 28 grams of gold extracted.
Why the Mine Faces Opposition
The Volta Grande mine has faced legal challenges for years. In 2013, prosecutors argued that Belo Sun did not adequately consult with Indigenous communities affected by the project. A federal court sided with this argument in 2017, stating the company would need to consult these communities and obtain federal approval.
However, in 2025, a higher court reversed that ruling, allowing Pará state to issue permits. Federal prosecutors are now appealing this decision, insisting the federal government should oversee such a project due to its national impacts on Indigenous territories and waterways.
Felício Pontes Jr., a federal prosecutor, emphasized that failing to have a single licensing authority could lead to significant conflict between the mining project and the dam. Both can affect each other and the surrounding communities.
What’s Next?
The court’s decision could change everything. If they hand the case back to the federal government, the recent licenses given to Belo Sun might be invalidated. Still, the company is preparing for the future by commissioning new technical studies for the Volta Grande project. They hope to complete these by late 2026.
Belo Sun insists that they have followed the necessary protocols for Indigenous consultation, yet many community leaders claim otherwise. Meanwhile, the outcome of upcoming court rulings remains uncertain, leaving the fate of this controversial mine hanging in the balance.
As the situation unfolds, it raises questions about the balance between development and environmental stewardship in Brazil’s fragile Amazon ecosystem.
For a deeper understanding of land use and environmental impacts in Brazil, you can explore the detailed report from Amazon Watch.
(Associated Press Climate and Environmental coverage is supported by various foundations, but the AP maintains editorial independence.)
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