source: International Allies Against Metallic Mining in El Salvador
On March 28, 2017, El Salvador made history by becoming the first country in the world to ban metallic mining as a measure to protect its scarce water resources. This achievement was the result of more than 12 years of struggle led by a broad coalition of social organizations, environmental groups, and churches, in response to the severe impacts of the mining industry in a country on the brink of a water crisis.
However, in December 2024, the government of Nayib Bukele repealed this law, reopening the door to investment by multinational mining companies seeking to extract gold and to the exploration for critical minerals in partnership with the United States government.
While socio-environmental conditions that led to the water crisis persist in El Salvador, the defense of water and the environment continues, despite of a climate of increasing authoritarianism and the systematic criminalization of social organizations and environmental defenders.
In this context, we invite you to participate in a dialogue with veteran members of the anti-mining movement and academics, with the aim of reflecting on the current state of mining in El Salvador and the key challenges for social movements working in defense of water and the environment.
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