Funai seeks cancellation of Belo Sun gold mining license in Xingu

The National Indigenous Peoples Foundation (Funai) has requested the suspension or annulment of the installation license for Belo Sun, a major open-pit gold mining project in the Volta Grande do Xingu region of Pará.

In a technical report dated August 7, Funai’s Directorate of Environmental and Territorial Management argued that the environmental impact studies failed to account for several indigenous communities that could be affected. The agency noted that the analyses ignored groups in non-demarcated lands, such as Ilha da Fazenda, Garimpo do Galo, Vila da Ressaca, and São Francisco, as well as villages in the Jericoá Indigenous Reserve.

Beyond social impacts, Funai raised concerns regarding water usage and the failure to consider cumulative impacts from the Ouro Verde tailings dam and other regional projects. The agency stated that these omissions hinder a correct assessment of impacts and prevent adequate consultation with these communities.

Belo Sun stated it is in dialogue with Funai and maintains that indigenous communities within the direct impact area were included in the studies. The company added that cumulative effects with other projects, such as the Belo Monte hydroelectric plant, have already been addressed through administrative and judicial channels. The licensing process is currently under review by the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region (TRF-1).