Oil Demand Threatens Ecuador's Rainforest

Up to 8 million acres of pristine Ecuadorian rainforest is under threat by a new plan to drill for oil. A local tribe vows to fight to protect their land.

May 3, 2013 | NBC Nightly News

The Wauroni tribes, who live in the forests of Ecuador, are getting ready to challenge the Ecuadorian government’s plan to sell as much as 8 million acres of rainforest for oil drilling, saying they are prepared to fight to the death to protect the land. More »

Consortium Building Dam in Brazil Investigated

February 26, 2013 | Associated Press

Sao Paulo, Brazil – Federal prosecutors are investigating allegations that the consortium building a huge dam in the heart of the Amazon rain forest spied on an environmental activist group opposed to the dam.More »

Brazil Wants More Research on Amazon Gold Mine Before Canadian Company Proceeds

Brazilian government urges more studies on how Belo Sun Mining Corporation’s Volta Grande venture will affect the environment and indigenous peoples.

February 15, 2013 | Toronto Star

The Brazilian government wants to see more research on a massive gold-mining project near the Amazon River before the Canadian firm behind it goes ahead with developments.More »

Authorities Reject Belo Sun Mining Project in Brazilian Amazon

Public Ministry warns against licensing for Canadian mining company gold operations

February 13, 2013 | Press Release

Altamira, Brazil – Brazil's Federal Public Ministry stunned Canadian Belo Sun Mining Corporation last week when it issued recommendations warning against the issuing of environmental licenses for a gold mine in the Brazilian Amazon.More »

"To Get the Gold, They Will Have to Kill Every One of Us"

The most-storied warrior tribe in Ecuador prepares to fight as the government sells gold-laden land to China

February 10, 2013 | Salon.com

Three years after Avatar's Quito premiere, declarations of martial readiness are multiplying and gaining volume throughout the tribal territories of Ecuador's mountainous southeast. The warnings bare sharpest teeth in the Shuar country of the Cordillera del Condor, the rain forest mountain range targeted by President Rafael Correa for the introduction of mega-mining.More »

Risk Assessment: Ecuador's XI Oil Tender

February 2013 | Report

This assessment is an overview of legacy issues and current economic, legal, social, and environmental risk factors faced by companies interested in submitting bids for Ecuador's Ronda Sur Oriente oil lease auction.More »

Investors Should Strongly Back the AGM Challenge to Chevron over Its Shareholder Subpoenas

The oil company’s actions could endanger the democratic shareholder process.

January 16, 2013 | Responsible Investor

Commenting on their shareholder resolution filed this week for Chevron's 2013 AGM, US responsible investors Needmor Fund and Zevin Asset Management claimed the oil giant was employing "cannon to swat a mosquito" by initiating legal proceedings against shareholders critical of its handling of Ecuador's Amazon environmental damages court judgement.More »

Ecuadorean Tribe Will "Die Fighting" to Defend Rainforest

Kichwa villagers from Sani Isla vow to resist oil prospecting by state-backed company Petroamazonas at all costs

January 13, 2013 | The Guardian

In what looks set to be one of the most one-sided struggles in the history of Amazon forest conservation, an indigenous community of about 400 villagers is preparing to resist the Ecuadorean army and one of the biggest oil companies in South America.More »

Oil Extraction: How Oil Production Impacts the Rainforest

January 7, 2013 | Mongabay.com

The extraction of oil is responsible for the deforestation, degradation, and environmental devastation of lands across the globe.More »

Peru's Indigenous People Take Battle over Gas Exploration to Court

Campaigning groups say further expansion into Amazon territory could lead to "extermination" of isolated tribes

January 3, 2013 | The Guardian

Peru's biggest indigenous federation, Aidesep, intends to use the courts to halt the planned expansion of the country's largest natural gas reserve further into territory set aside for isolated Amazon tribes.More »