It is urgent that Costa Rica returns to a sustainable model repealing the 8904 law to declare Costa Rica free of open-pit metallic mining, replacing it with a new law with a highly technical structure, which allows developing a responsible mineral industry, instead of perpetuating irreparable damage to the environment, generating in turn benefits to our country.”
That is one of the conclusions of a research report shared by the National Liberation Party (PLN) in Congress, conducted by professors from public and foreign universities, about what happens in Crucitas, in Cutris de San Carlos.
The document justifies that in the country there are important mineral deposits which had been used until 2011 when the law came into force, however, the reality is that if there are metals, they will be exploited, either through of a responsible and sustainable mining model or through illegal mining as is happening in Crucitas.
The document was shared at the same time that Maria Jose Corrales denounced that, after the visit of seven legislators on January 4th, they can’t deny the absence of the Public Force in the hectares where there is gold.
Corrales indicated that they also witnessed environmental damage in primary, secondary and aquifer forests, as well as the constant presence of illegal miners, who work with complete normality, without being affected by the presence of police officers.
According to the liberationist, the extraction amounts to 50 kilos of gold per month. A Nicaraguan illegal miner showed them that no less than half an ounce can be extracted in eight minutes.
This represents more than $ 2 million a month that is produced illegally and without any state control,”
said the legislator in her speech.
The liberationists indicated that there are at least 1,500 illegal miners in the area and that, taking out the gold in an artisanal way, the material will run out in 200 years.
Last December, the PLN also announced a study carried out by the National University (UNA), which confirms the presence of mercury in rivers and animals.