El Salvador Lifts Ban on Metal Mining Amid Controversy
On Dec. 23, El Salvador’s Congress approved a law lifting the country’s seven-year-old ban on metal mining, despite opposition from environmentalists and the Roman Catholic Church.
Proposed by President Nayib Bukele, the law passed overwhelmingly in a 57 to three vote and now awaits Bukele’s signature to take effect. It bans the use of toxic mercury in gold mining and mandates joint ventures between private companies and the government for mining operations. Mining will remain prohibited in nature reserves and sensitive watersheds.
Opponents, including Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas, warn of irreversible environmental damage. “It will damage this country forever,” Escobar Alas said in a recent homily.
Despite protests from about 100 civic and environmental activists, Bukele has defended the move as necessary. He estimates El Salvador’s untapped gold reserves could be worth $3 trillion, calling it wealth that could transform the country.
Polls suggest most Salvadorans oppose mining, but Bukele’s party holds the commanding congressional majority.
Luis Apolo Staff Reporter junior/1735885743/1613367813
1. What did El Salvador's Congress do on Dec. 23?
2. Who proposed the law to lift the ban on metal mining?
3. What harmful substance is banned from being used in gold mining under the new law?
4. Where will mining still be prohibited in El Salvador?
1. Do you think it’s important to protect the environment? Why or why not?
2. What do you think could happen if too much mining is done?
3. Have you ever been to a place where nature is protected? What was it like?
4. If you were the president of a country, would you allow mining? Why or why not?
On Dec. 23, El Salvador’s Congress approved a law lifting the country’s seven-year-old ban on metal mining, despite opposition from environmentalists and the Roman Catholic Church.
