politics
Costa Rican and Nicaraguan Ministers to Meet on Illegal Gold Mining
Costa Rican and Nicaraguan Foreign Ministers and Security Ministers will meet this Saturday in the border area to coordinate actions against illegal mining and gold smuggling through the San Juan River, amidst accusations of transnational organized crime networks operating on both sides.
TL;DR
- Costa Rica and Nicaragua will hold a joint meeting of their Foreign and Security Ministers to address illegal gold mining and smuggling.
- The meeting will focus on preventing the illegal transport of gold from Costa Rica to Nicaragua through the San Juan River.
- Costa Rican officials allege that illegal miners extract gold in Costa Rica and process it in Nicaragua, with organized crime networks involved.
- The illegal mining activities are linked to areas like Las Crucitas and Cerro Las Conchuditas, reportedly using harmful methods such as mercury.
- Costa Rica's President plans to present this issue as a security concern at an upcoming meeting with U.S. and Latin American leaders.
- A past attempt to establish a legal open-pit mine in Las Crucitas by a Canadian company was halted due to legal battles and environmental concerns.
- There is a proposed bill in Costa Rica to revive gold mining in Las Crucitas under a concession model, which faces opposition from environmentalists and some political sectors.