SAN SALVADOR (Reuters) – El Salvador’s legislature overturned a national ban on metals mining on Monday, backing a key item on President Nayib Bukele’s agenda for boosting economic growth amid criticism from environmental groups.
El Salvador became the first country in the world to ban forms of metals mining in 2017. Bukele, who took office in 2019, has called the ban absurd and supports gold mining.
All 57 of Bukele’s allies in the Central American country’s 60-seat legislature voted for the president’s legislation to overturn the ban, with three lawmakers voting against it.
The legislation will grant the Salvadoran government sole authority over mining activities within the country’s land and maritime territory.
