30-Mar-2017: El Salvador bans metal mining

El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to ban metal mining. Legislators in the water-starved country passed an unanimous vote declaring El Salvador a mining-free territory. The decision was taken due to diminishing water sources from polluting mining projects.

The prohibition ensures the long-term ecological viability of a country already considered one of the most environmentally vulnerable in the world. There's a rising tide of opposition to environmentally destructive projects across Latin America and even partial bans have been implemented in Costa Rica, Argentina and Colombia.

El Salvador is the most densely populated country in Latin America and, while rainfall is plentiful, holding on to the water is a major issue because of unsustainable farming practices and inadequate industrial controls that have led to widespread soil erosion and the almost total destruction of its forests.

The water crisis has steadily deepened since the pro-business Arena Party granted an array of permits for mineral exploration. More than 90% of El Salvador’s surface waters are estimated to be polluted by toxic chemicals, heavy metals and waste matter.