The resumption of mining in El Salvador raises alarms about environmental damage, particularly in the contaminated San Sebastián River. President Nayib Bukele promotes mining for potential economic gain, though environmentalists express concerns about degradation. The controversy centers on the actual existence of gold deposits and the potential risks associated with mining activities, contrasting with the views of those who support mining as a path to prosperity.
El Salvador’s environmental crisis intensifies as mining resumes, notably affecting the San Sebastián River, where fish have died due to contamination from an old gold mine. The ban on metal mining, enacted in 2017, was lifted in December 2021 at President Nayib Bukele’s request, citing unverified studies indicating gold deposits worth $131 billion, purportedly 380% of the nation’s GDP.
Environmentalists express skepticism regarding these claims and argue that mining poses more risks than benefits, referencing the pollution affecting the San Sebastián River. Community leader Graciela Funes highlighted the toxic nature of the river by presenting a copper-colored water sample, stressing, “Here are the facts.” Environmentalist Vidalina Morales advocated for a unified front against mining, recalling a 2016 report from the Office for the Defense of Human Rights indicating severe impacts on the water quality in adjacent agricultural communities.
Historically, the San Sebastián mine was Central America’s most productive, yielding at least 32 tons of gold between 1904 and 1953. Biologist Cidia Cortés noted the mine’s detrimental legacy, which includes diseases and environmental degradation, labeling the state’s failure to address these issues as a “pending debt.” Cortés lamented that this debt is worsening due to the reintroduction of mining activities.
Environmental advocates fear potential contamination of the Lempa River, a crucial water source for 70% of San Salvador’s population. However, some analysts, like Nelson Flores, argue that mining could propel economic development, positing that advanced extraction methods could mitigate environmental harm. He criticized environmentalists’ pessimism about mining’s impact.
Critics of Bukele’s mining decision, such as Ricardo Navarro of the Salvadoran Center for Appropriate Technology and economist Julia Martínez, claim the government has overstated potential gold reserves. Navarro stated that gold concentration is low, while Martínez suggested that foreign companies granted mining concessions would exploit the situation financially, indicating the president may be misled about the existence and profitability of the gold.
The reintroduction of mining in El Salvador has precipitated significant environmental concerns, particularly regarding the contamination of vital water sources such as the San Sebastián River. Divergent opinions exist, with environmentalists warning of impending ecological damage, while some political analysts view mining as an opportunity for economic advancement. The debate continues over the veracity of gold deposit assessments and the implications of mining on local communities and ecosystems.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
