El Salvador Lifts National Mining Ban

Foreks - El Salvador's legislative body removed the national ban on metal mining, supporting President Nayib Bukele's agenda aimed at increasing economic growth amidst criticism from environmental groups. El Salvador was the first country in the world to ban metal mining in 2017. Bukele, who assumed office in 2019, described the ban as absurd and supported gold mining. All 57 of Bukele's allies in the 60-seat legislative assembly voted in favor of the president's bill to lift the ban, while three lawmakers voted against it. The law will grant the Salvadoran government exclusive authority over mining activities within the country's land and maritime borders.