British Columbia or East Africa? Court to help decide venue of human-rights case

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada will help decide whether a human-rights lawsuit against a Canadian mining company should be heard in British Columbia or Eritrea.

The high court has agreed to hear an appeal by B.C.-based Nevsun Resources (TSX:NSU), which argues the East African country would be the more appropriate forum.

Refugees from Eritrea allege they were forced to work at a gold mine controlled by subsidiaries of Nevsun and Eritrean state companies.

They contend construction of the mine flouted international legal provisions against forced labour, slavery and torture — accusations that have not been tested in court.