El Salvador Overturns Metals Mining Ban

El Salvador's legislature has repealed a seven-year-old ban on metals mining, a move championed by President Nayib Bukele as part of his economic revitalization strategy. The ban, implemented in 2017, made El Salvador the first country to outlaw all forms of metals mining, which Bukele has since criticized as impractical. The new law, which passed with 57 votes in favor and three against, grants the government sole authority over mining activities and prohibits mercury use, while designating certain areas as protected reserves. Bukele's push for mining is backed by studies suggesting potential gold deposits worth $132 billion, but it has raised concerns about environmental impacts and human rights violations linked to Bukele's administration. The International Monetary Fund projects a 3% economic growth for El Salvador, which is burdened by high debt. This legislation represents a significant policy shift amidst ongoing debates about balancing economic benefits with environmental protection.