Regime in Nicaragua grants over 1,300 hectares to mining company it had previously expropriated
Nicaragua's regime granted a new mining concession of over 1,300 hectares to the company Plantel Los Ángeles, despite having previously canceled its operations years ago due to irregularities, reigniting questions about the management of natural resources.
TL;DR
- Nicaragua's regime granted a new mining concession of 1,352.29 hectares to Plantel Los Ángeles Sociedad Anónima in Villanueva, Chinandega.
- The concession was awarded to U.S. businessman James Randall Martin for 25 years.
- Plantel Los Ángeles had previous concessions canceled due to irregularities and for acquiring material from protected zones.
- Environmental defender Amaru Ruiz raised concerns about the impact on vulnerable ecosystems.
- The company previously operated in Santo Domingo and Río San Juan, investing $15 million and creating over 100 jobs.
- The regime has facilitated the expansion of mining companies, including Chinese firms that hold concessions over 8.5% of Nicaraguan territory.
- At least 29 concessions to Chinese companies are located on indigenous and Afro-descendant territories.