The Catholic bishops of El Salvador have strongly condemned government moves to reintroduce mining in the country, highlighting the serious environmental and health risks posed by resuming precious metal mining.
In a statement, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of El Salvador reiterated its opposition to the lifting of the 2017 mining ban. The ban was originally intended to protect El Salvador’s water resources and ensure the common good of its people.
“We are very concerned about the government’s announcement to reintroduce mining in our country and therefore reiterate our position that we are firmly opposed to the repeal of the mining ban approved in March 2017,” the bishops said in a communique issued on December 12. Belief. The bishops insist that even the “modern and sustainable” form of mining promised by President Nayib Bukele is unacceptable given the potential harm to the country’s water supply, health and biodiversity.
environment, health issues
El Salvador enacted a mining ban in 2017. it The first country in the world to do so. At the time, the Catholic Church supported the move, citing concerns about contamination of the country’s precious water resources. During his first presidential campaign in 2019, Bukele similarly advocated for a ban on mining due to its environmental impact. However, after being re-elected in February 2024, he changed his stance and vowed to introduce an environmentally friendly method of mining.
“Our opposition is purely motivated by the well-being of the people and does not contradict the president or support the political opposition. We wish everyone well and are firmly opposed to mining in the country,” the bishops stressed, emphasizing their support for A commitment to protecting people and the environment above all else.
The statement, signed by 12 bishops including the conference’s president, Archbishop José Luis Escobar Arras of San Salvador, warned that mining could cause irreversible damage to public health and the environment. The bishops highlighted the situation in El Salvador, which has become the second most environmentally destructive country in the Americas. “The health of the people is more valuable than all the gold in the world,” the communiqué declared. The bishops’ conference argued that resuming mining would exacerbate the country’s already fragile water situation, particularly the Romba river, which is the main source of water for about half the population.
“Mining contaminates groundwater, including the Lempa River, which is vital for the survival of thousands of Salvadorans,” the bishops noted. In such a small and densely populated country, the impact of mining can be multiplied and have a negative impact on human health. and biodiversity, with dire consequences.
“Good for economic development, but…”
Cardinal Gregorio Rosa ChavezAs the first and only Salvadoran bishop to be appointed a cardinal, he also emphasized the urgent need to prioritize the health and safety of the people. “We support economic development, but a people’s greatest wealth is their life and health,” he added, expressing deep concern about the long-term impact of mining activities on the country’s health and ecosystems.
Bukele defended his government’s efforts to boost the mining industry, pointing to studies showing the country has gold mines worth $131 billion – equivalent to 380% of El Salvador’s GDP. In response to the country’s economic challenges, with 30% of the population living below the poverty line and public debt reaching 80% of GDP, Bukele promised that mining could provide much-needed economic growth.
In early December, the president urged the public to have confidence in the government’s ability to regulate the mining industry in a “modern and sustainable” way. With the support of 57 allies in the 60-seat legislature, the government passed legislation on December 23 to lift the ban. The new legislation does include some safeguards, such as a ban on the use of mercury in mining and the designation of certain areas as nature reserves.
Critics, write in policy institutebelieves that Bukele’s decision to lift the mining ban will only “exacerbate the environmental risks already posed by his mining economic agenda.” They warned the move could have serious economic and public health consequences, with mining potentially contaminating land and water resources and harming the most vulnerable.
While Bukele’s supporters see the potential for job creation and economic growth, Catholic bishops remain steadfast in their opposition, putting the protection of life and health ahead of economic gain. “In a small country with a large population like ours, the negative effects will be multiplied,” the bishops’ conference said.