HudBay Minerals Inc. has agreed to have lawsuits against it launched by Mayan villagers from Guatemala heard by a Canadian court.

The villagers claim in their lawsuits that security staff from the mining company’s subsidiaries are to blame for alleged gang-rapes, injuries and a death in Guatemala.

None of those claims have been proven in court. But Murray Klippenstein, lawyer for the villagers, said HudBay giving up on efforts to send the case to Guatemala represents a “breakthrough” for the plaintiffs.

“I think it’s a stunning victory for human rights. I think it’s historic,” Klippenstein said, adding the location issue was argued by the company for more than a year. “It should send shockwaves through the boardrooms throughout Canada.”

HudBay, however, said its “voluntary decision” to have the cases heard by the Ontario Superior Court was about practicalities. It “was based on its desire to avoid the complications of trying the cases in Guatemala, particularly in terms of time and travel,” said John Vincic, vice president of investor relations and corporate communications.

“Our decision does not create precedent or change the law in any way,” he said in an email.

Recent cross-examinations of claimants in Toronto have made the company “increasingly confident the cases are without merit and will be favorably resolved on the merits in Ontario,” Vincic said.

Osgoode Hall Law School professor Shin Imai said it will be historic if the cases are heard in Canada, no matter what the outcome.

He said companies in previous similar cases have been successful in having proceedings sent to developing countries where the allegations are said to have occurred, often raising doubts about the fairness of the trial.

“It seems like, at this point, they’re willing to let it go ahead in a court in Canada. So this is very big,” he said.

Klippenstein said he has so far been unable to reach his clients with the news. Issues related to the suits will be heard in court next month, he said, but a trial is still likely years away.