As the dangers that mining-affected communities and environment defenders continue to mount in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and other countries, Canadian mining companies such as Equinox Gold confirm their reputation as bullies, blind to everything but their profits, who use their political, economic and legal advantages to impose their will.

As gold prices soar to record levels, the Los Filos gold mine in Mexico has sat idle since early September after its owner, Vancouver-based Equinox Gold, failed to uphold its agreement with the nearby community of Carrizalillo, a small town of about 3,000 people. Equinox blames the community for the shutdown, but in reality, the company and its executives have no one to blame but themselves.