Allegations of human trafficking and forced labor have been raised against Canadian-based mining companies operating in Africa, most notably a landmark legal case involving Nevsun Resources in Eritrea. The broader issues of human rights abuses, including forced and child labor, are systemic problems in the mining sector across various African countries.
Specific Cases and Legal Precedents
Nevsun Resources Ltd. (Eritrea): Three Eritrean plaintiffs sued the Vancouver-based Nevsun Resources, alleging the company was complicit in the use of forced labor (part of Eritrea's national conscription system) at its Bisha mine. This case was groundbreaking as it was the first time a mass tort claim for modern slavery was allowed to proceed in a Canadian court against a company for abuses committed overseas. The case was ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in October 2020
Specific Cases and Legal Precedents
Nevsun Resources Ltd. (Eritrea): Three Eritrean plaintiffs sued the Vancouver-based Nevsun Resources, alleging the company was complicit in the use of forced labor (part of Eritrea's national conscription system) at its Bisha mine. This case was groundbreaking as it was the first time a mass tort claim for modern slavery was allowed to proceed in a Canadian court against a company for abuses committed overseas. The case was ultimately settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in October 2020
by Modern Women December 31, 2025
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