Bukele Proposes Lifting Metal Mining Ban in El Salvador

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador is proposing to repeal the country's seven-year ban on metal mining, claiming the nation is sitting on an estimated $3 trillion in unmined gold reserves. This dramatic shift from the previous environmental stance, initiated in 2017 under former President Salvador Sanchez Ceren, comes as Bukele argues that the mining ban is 'absurd' and that responsible extraction could greatly benefit the economy. He asserts that just 4% of these gold deposits could yield $131 billion, representing 380% of the current GDP. However, critics express concern about the potential environmental and health impacts of mining, citing the adverse effects of harmful chemicals used in the industry. Bukele maintains that 'modern and sustainable' mining practices could be employed to protect natural resources while unlocking economic potential. This proposal has sparked renewed debate over the balance between economic development and environmental protection in a country struggling with poverty and economic stagnation.