KEY POINTS
- El Salvador’s legislature ends a seven-year ban on metals mining.
- President Bukele touts mining as key to economic development.
- Environmental groups warn of severe ecological and community impacts.
El Salvador’s legislature voted Monday to overturn a 2017 ban on metals mining, a move championed by President Nayib Bukele as a strategy for economic growth.
The ban, which made El Salvador the first country to prohibit all forms of metals mining, was repealed by Bukele’s allies, who hold 57 of the 60 seats in Congress.
“This legislation places the state at the center of decision-making, ensuring that the population’s well-being is the priority,” said Elisa Rosales, a lawmaker from Bukele’s New Ideas party.
The new law grants the Salvadoran government full control over mining activities, prohibits the use of mercury in mining, and designates certain areas as protected nature reserves.
Economic growth vs. environmental concerns
Bukele has argued that mining offers immense economic opportunities for El Salvador, a nation burdened by debt equaling 85 percent of its GDP.
According to Reuters, he shared studies suggesting that gold deposits worth $132 billion—equivalent to 380 percent of the country’s GDP, exist in just 4 percent of the land available for mining.
“This wealth, given by God, can be harnessed responsibly to bring unprecedented economic and social development to our people,” Bukele wrote on social media last month.
However, environmentalists and community advocates strongly oppose the decision, warning of catastrophic consequences for water, soil, and biodiversity. Protesters gathered near Congress during Monday’s vote, voicing their concerns.
“Mining is not viable in El Salvador due to the unacceptable levels of contamination it would cause,” said environmentalist Luis Gonzalez.
Balancing economic potential and community risks
The decision to reauthorize mining comes as El Salvador grapples with balancing economic development and environmental sustainability.
Bukele’s popularity, bolstered by his crackdown on gang violence, has helped push his agenda, but critics argue the potential risks outweigh the benefits.
Despite the president’s assurances that mining will be conducted responsibly, the move has reignited debates about the long-term implications for El Salvador’s ecosystem and vulnerable communities.
As the smallest country in Central America, El Salvador faces unique challenges in managing its resources, but this controversial decision underscores the ongoing tension between economic growth and environmental preservation.
