The reinstatement of mining in El Salvador, driven by President Bukele, raises environmental concerns due to past contamination of the San Sebastián River. Critics question the economic benefits, citing low gold concentrations and potential ecological damage. Advocates claim modern methods could mitigate risks, sparking a debate between economic advancement and environmental protection.
The San Sebastián River has faced extensive environmental degradation, with the fish population eradicated due to contamination from an old gold mine. This incident raises concerns now that mining has been legalized again in El Salvador, particularly as the prohibition in place since 2017 was lifted by President Nayib Bukele in December. Critics argue that mining activities will replicate this ecological destruction across the nation.
President Bukele claims a study, whose authorship is undisclosed, shows gold deposits in El Salvador worth $131 billion, which could supposedly enhance the country’s struggling economy. However, environmentalists question these projections and reference the environmental wreckage seen in the San Sebastián River as a warning against future mines. There are doubts regarding the financial benefits proposed by mining advocates.
In Santa Rosa de Lima, polluted wastewater continues to flow from the Cerro San Sebastián mine, operational until 2006. Community representatives, including Graciela Funes, emphasize the dire condition of the river, which has taken on a copper hue. “Here are the facts,” she asserts, showcasing the environmental crisis. Activist Vidalina Morales calls for collective action against mining, reiterating water’s necessity for survival.
A report by the Office for the Defense of Human Rights in 2016 noted severe impacts on water quality due to mining, supporting the ban that followed. Biologist Cidia Cortés chronicled the San Sebastián mine’s history, revealing its extraction legacy involved over 32 tons of gold, leaving behind societal and ecological repercussions. Despite past concessions and revocation of licenses, artisanal mining continues in the area amidst unresolved environmental concerns.
Opponents of mining fear contamination of key water sources, including the Lempa River, which serves a majority of San Salvador’s population. Conversely, advocates believe mining presents a significant economic opportunity for El Salvador. Analyst Nelson Flores contends that modern extraction methods could mitigate environmental risks, arguing against the pessimistic views held by environmental activists.
Skepticism surrounds the claims regarding El Salvador’s gold reserves. NGO director Ricardo Navarro highlights that the gold concentration is low, suggesting potential for greater damage than benefit. Economists like Julia Martínez suggest governmental interest seems misplaced, calling for transparency on the potential findings of gold reserves. Overall, concerns persist about the viability and consequences of mining endeavors in the country.
The renewed push for mining in El Salvador is creating a significant divide between economic opportunity and environmental preservation. While proponents argue for potential economic upliftment, environmentalists warn against the repercussions as illustrated by the San Sebastián River’s contamination. The questionable existence of substantial gold reserves adds to the complexity, leaving many apprehensive about the state’s mining policy.
Original Source: ticotimes.net
