El Salvador became the first country to enact a law banning metal mining, an activity rejected by environmentalists around the world.
According to the new law published in the country’s gazette and signed by President Salvador Sánchez Cerén,
No institution, rule, administrative act or resolution may authorize the exploration, exploration, exploitation, extraction or processing of metallic minerals in El Salvador or grant licenses, permits, contracts or concessions for the same purposes.”
The law was passed by all political forces represented in Congress on March 29th, after considering that the extraction of metals is a destructive industry for the environment and public health.
With this, El Salvador became a reference in the fight against this industry and its effects on the environment, according to environmentalists.