Más oro, menos empleo. Bonanza minera de Nicaragua esconde expansión del extractivismo
La minería se convirtió en la actividad económica de mayor crecimiento en Nicaragua, impulsada por el alza del precio internacional del oro. Sin embargo, los datos oficiales muestran que este auge no se traduce en más empleo ni mejores salarios, mientras se expanden las concesiones y se profundizan los riesgos sociales y ambientales.
TL;DR
- Nicaragua's Monthly Economic Activity Index (IMAE) reported 7.2% growth for September 2025, with mining and quarrying leading at 21.2%.
- Gold exports significantly increased, contributing to mining's growth, with export value rising by 87% in the third quarter and over 49.2% year-to-date.
- The growth is primarily due to higher international gold prices, not an increase in export volume or production.
- The expansion of mining includes increased concessions, affecting indigenous territories and protected areas, raising environmental and social concerns.
- Despite the economic boom, mining creates few formal jobs, with many working in artisanal, often illegal, mining without social security or labor protections.
- Salaries in the mining sector remain below the cost of the basic consumer basket.
- Environmental regulations have been weakened, allowing mining in protected areas without mandatory environmental impact studies or prior community consultations.
- Concerns exist about land rights and the potential negative environmental impacts of increased mining activities, especially from Chinese concessions.