‘Water has won over gold’ say campaigners, as they celebrate El Salvador’s history-making ban on metal mining
After years of campaigning, the authorities in El Salvador have announced that the country will ban mining metals. Lawmakers in the capital San Salvador confirmed the news last week.
The unanimous vote for the blanket ban, a global first, is intended to help tackle the country’s major water pollution and water shortage issues. It is estimated that 90 per cent of El Salvador’s rivers are contaminated with toxic chemicals, waste and heavy metals.
This historic victory is down to the clarity and determination of the Salvadoran people fighting for life over the economic interests of a few
Environmental campaigners around the world hope the ban may encourage other countries to “stand up against the muscle of mining giants”.
“Today, water won over gold,” campaigner Cristina Starr told the Guardian. “This historic victory is down to the clarity and determination of the Salvadoran people fighting for life over the economic interests of a few.”
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