El Salvador to Lift Metals Mining Ban Under President Bukele's Proposal, State to Control Operations

Dec 21, 2024, 09:20 PM

El Salvador is poised to lift its ban on metals mining, with a legislative commission issuing a favorable ruling on a bill proposed by President Nayib Bukele. The bill, set to be considered by the full legislature on Monday, aims to allow the exploration, exploitation, and extraction of metals in the country, overturning a ban that has been in place since 2017. The proposed law also stipulates that the state will be the sole entity authorized to conduct these mining activities, either directly or through state-controlled entities. Environmental groups, universities, and the Catholic Church have expressed opposition to the lifting of the ban, citing potential environmental damage, particularly to water sources like the Rio Lempa.