B.C. company denies watchdog's claim it used forced Uyghur labour

Ottawa's corporate ethics watchdog says a Vancouver-based mining company has allowed forced labour at its gold mine in the Xinjiang region of China, even though the firm lost control of the project before the alleged forced labour took place.

The company, Dynasty Gold Corp., says it's being tarnished by baseless allegations and the timelines make no sense — but ombudsperson Sheri Meyerhoffer said companies are responsible for holdings they jointly control.

The finding Tuesday is the first determination the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise has made since the office was created by the Liberal government in 2018.

«Evidence gathered through this investigation suggests that Uyghur forced labour likely took place at the Hatu Qi-2 gold mine,» Meyerhoffer wrote in a report released Tuesday.

China denies all allegations of forced labour in its Xinjiang region.

Tuesday's finding has Meyerhoffer recommending that Canada bar Dynasty from access to trade services and financial support.

The company, which buys mines and contracts out work like exploration and mineral extraction, says it has never received those services.

«They don't have any evidence of us using forced labour … they extrapolate, but where is the hard evidence?» Dynasty CEO Ivy Chong said in a lengthy interview.

«We tried to explain, but I think their mind was closed; the decision was made.»

Chong added that nobody in the federal government or its Beijing embassy informed the company of human rights concerns while it was operating the mine, despite frequent contact at the time.

Meyerhoffer has been digging into allegations that Uyghur Muslims sent to what China calls «detention» or «re-education» centres are being forced to work.

China denies claims of