El Salvador becomes the first country to impose ban on metal mining.
The small Central American country is a true pioneer in the fight against metal mining and its devastating effects on the environment and its population by having published, on 28 April 28 2017, its bill of 31 March 2017.
Its Parliament has indeed voted the bill unanimously, imposing the ban on all metal mining in the country in order to avoid pollution of its water resources. The law bans « prospection, exploration, exploitation, extraction or processing of metallic minerals in El Salvador. The bill was signed by its President and states that no permit, license or concession will be delivered for subterranean or open air metal mining. It also bans the use of toxic chemicals such as cyanide or mercury. This unique and unprecedented bill is primarily aimed at banning gold exploitations in the North of the country, known for having a negative impact on the water courses in the region. El Salvador is facing drinking water shortages due to climate change.
The bill was passed after an international tribunal issued a ruling in favor of El Salvador by putting an end to seven years of litigation against the Australian mining company OceanaGold. The claim of the latter for compensation has been dismissed by the tribunal.
Associated areas of specialisation: Environment