El Salvador Lifts 2017 Mining Ban on December 23, 2024, Under Nayib Bukele, Including Mercury Ban

Dec 23, 2024, 06:04 PM

El Salvador's legislature has approved a law to lift the 2017 ban on metal mining, a move championed by President Nayib Bukele. The decision, made on December 23, 2024, allows for the exploration and exploitation of mining resources in the country, with the government gaining full control over mining operations. The new law includes a ban on mercury use and aims to protect certain areas from mining activities. Despite widespread public opposition and scientific consensus against metals mining, Bukele's government has emphasized the potential for economic transformation through this initiative. The approval comes amid ongoing discussions about the country's strict anti-abortion laws, highlighted by a recent case of a young woman forced to carry a non-viable pregnancy, which has drawn international condemnation for violence against women. The Assembly's decision to overturn the mining ban has sparked protests from environmental and human rights groups, who argue that it prioritizes economic interests over public welfare.