Canadian mining company Belo Sun suffered a setback in its plans to open a massive gold mine in the Xingu river: it lost authorization to meet with Indigenous communities during the pandemic due to a pressure campaign by Indigenous leaders and human rights organizations.

Groups began mobilizing after in-person meetings were authorized between Belo Sun and Indigenous peoples who would be impacted by their proposed project, despite this being one of the most dangerous moments of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.

Belo Sun plans on becoming the largest open-pit gold miner in Brazil by running roughshod over the rights of communities in Volta Grande do Xingu. The region is one of the most biodiverse in the world, and it has already been grappling with the negative impacts of the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant.

By authorizing in-person meetings, the Brazilian government made it clear what side it is on: that of the big mining companies.