By Ana Komnenic
MINING.com
A Brazilian court has suspended Canadian miner Belo Sun Mining’s Volta Grande project, Brazil’s to-be largest gold mine, located alongside the Xingu River in the state of Para.
In response to a civil lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s office, a federal judge has ordered the “immediate suspension” of environmental licensing for Vale Grande, environmental group International Rivers (IR) announced on Thursday.
Earlier this week Belo Sun provided an update on its licensing process, saying that the Environmental Council of Para State (COEMA) had met to consider the issuance of the Preliminary Licence (LP) for Volta Grande. Out of a 13-member panel, 11 voted in favour of granting the LP. However, one member, the State Public Prosecutor Office, did not vote, requesting to view the licensing process files before making a decision. Voting was therefore postponed until December 2.