Campaigners at the Porgera Gold Mine in Papua New Guinea are among those calling for an ombudsman for Canada's mining sector.
Porgera mine. Photo: wikicommons / Richard Farbellini
In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the Akali Tange Association said an ombudsman would hold Canadian companies to account for abuses.
It said Canadian-owned Barrick Gold had employed security guards at the Porgera Mine who have committed killings, assault, and rape.
MiningWatch Canada spokesperson Catherine Coumans said letters from the Porgera campaigners and others affected by Canadian mining companies were already having an impact.
"It's certainly really significant when people around the world write directly to our Prime Minister and to directly indicate what the harm is that they're experiencing from Canadian mining companies and how they have a hard time getting access to justice in their own countries and therefore really need Canada to step up to the plate."
She said they were still getting reports of rapes at the Porgera Mine.