"Set off the main road through San Isidro, El Salvador, an old gate sits locked by a chain. Across its rusted metal wire mesh are emblazoned the words: Private property, entry forbidden. A bus stop outside is covered with faded black and yellow posters. Though peeling with age, their message can still be read: No to mining yes to life."
"After the suspension of operations in 2009 amid community backlash, OceanaGold formally closed the project in 2017 following El Salvador's historic prohibition of metal mining. But 10 months after hardline President Nayib Bukele's administration repealed this prohibition, environmentalists fear that El Dorado may become one of the key sites in the re-emergence of mining interests in the country a political movement they say is being obscured by state secrecy."
"In January, El Salvador's energy directorate announced that government mining studies will remain trade secrets, blocking public access to data relating to metal mining in the country. Although no new mining projects have been officially announced, activists worry they are proceeding behind closed doors. Access to information is very poor, says Ever Hernandez, coordinator of the water management programme at Ades, an NGO based near the old El Dorado project."
An old gate at the former El Dorado site bears 'Private property, entry forbidden' while anti-mining posters read 'No to mining yes to life.' The El Dorado gold project suspended operations in 2009 and was closed in 2017 after a national ban on metal mining. President Nayib Bukele's administration repealed the ban, prompting environmentalists to fear El Dorado could be targeted for reactivation. The energy directorate has declared government mining studies as trade secrets, blocking public access to related data. Activists report poor information access and allege private negotiations with mining companies. Company interest from figures like Titan Resources' president has been publicly noted.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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