SAO PAULO (AP) — A highly contested mining project in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest operated by Canadian company Belo Sun is expected to reach a key development Wednesday, when a Brazilian court will rule on whether to uphold a decision that could advance the project.The court in Brasilia will determine whether the federal government or the northern state of Para, where the mine is planned, has authority to grant environmental licenses for the project.Belo Sun has sought since 2012 to establish the Volta Grande gold mine on the banks of the Xingu River in Para state. The site lies about 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) from Belo Monte, the world’s third-largest hydroelectric dam, whose operations have reduced the river’s flow and severely affected local communities.Here’s what to know about the case and what comes next:
Where the mining project is and how it would impact the AmazonThe Volta Grande mine is projected to be the largest gold extraction site in the Brazilian Amazon.According to a 2015 feasibility study presented by Belo Sun, the company aims to extract 3.52 million ounces of gold over 17 years, excavating more than 600 million tons of material. The mine would cover 24 square kilometers (9.2 square miles) and affect 125 hectares (309 acres) of the Amazon rainforest.
