Climate

Environmental defenders testify about attacks in Latin America linked to Canadian mining companies

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 31/10/2026, 18:24:24 UTC.

Briefings

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights heard testimony on Oct. 27, 2026, from six countries alleging harm linked to Canadian mining operations, including four alleged attacks on environmental defenders. Marco Manobanda, an Indigenous fish-farmer from Ecuador, testified that the El Domo mine, owned by Vancouver-based Silvercorp Metals Inc. and Salazar Resources Ltd., causes deforestation and water contamination, threatening his livelihood and ecosystem. The hearing occurred four months after the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise was eliminated, leaving advocates with limited options for redress. Canada hosts approximately half of the world's publicly listed mining and mineral exploration companies with operations both domestically and internationally.

Key points

• The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights gathered in Panama to examine Canada's obligations regarding its extractive companies' impact on human rights and the environment.
• Indigenous fish-farmer Marco Manobanda testified that the El Domo mine, owned by Silvercorp Metals Inc. and Salazar Resources Ltd., is causing deforestation and water contamination in Ecuador.

Context

This briefing covers allegations of attacks on environmental defenders linked to Canadian mining companies, specifically the El Domo mine in Ecuador. The hearing took place four months after the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise was eliminated, raising concerns about limited redress options for human rights abuses and environmental harm. Canada is home to about half of the world's publicly listed mining and mineral exploration companies with operations both in Canada and abroad.

Limitations

Evidence is limited to testimony from six countries and one specific Indigenous fish-farmer's account. The hearing occurred in October 2026, and the article was originally published on Mongabay. Specific dates for the attacks or the elimination of the Ombudsperson are not fully detailed, and the scope covers only the Inter-American Commission's hearing in Panama.

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