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I’m going to talk about the illegal extraction of gold at Crucitas “mine”. Were it has been a misunderstanding of agreements between the mining organization and the government of Costa Rica. In Costa Rica, open air mining is practically illegal because deforestation is illegal. Mining its only legal in Costa Rica when it subsistence people and doesn’t involve other organizations. Miguel Angel, a former president of Costa Rica, only allowed the mining of resources if the company showed an environmental study that proved that the mining wont destroy the ecosystem. Time passed by and the next president Oscar Arias allowed it because it was supposedly public interest. Then studies came out showing the impact in the ecosystem and the pollution. This closed the mine. Now the company is sewing the government for not sticking to their agreement and demanding for 93 million dollars.
What are the environmental impacts of this resource extraction?
Short term the area of extraction has been deforested. This area is very sensitive because it contains a variety of endangered organisms. Also the extraction of gold requires mercury, which is really harmful to the environment. Mercury is released into the river, which is the main source of water for the locals.
Long term mercury could affect the organisms of the area and also the local people in the immune, nervous, and respiratory system. Also the loss of biodiversity, children exploitation and corruption.
Who benefits from this resource extraction? Who is disadvantaged? How is this connected to colonization?
The locals benefit because they ern money and jobs but they also sabotage themselves because in the long term they get sick because of the contamination of their waters. This is connected to colonization because the earnings of mining are going to an organization and not to the country.
What kinds of opposition / environmental preservation being carried out by the following groups, especially as this case contributes to climate change? Are any of them in conflict? Whose interests are at stake?
NFO’s, Government and activists are against the mines.
What could a socially and environmentally ethical response look like?
Close the mines and provide jobs to the locals.
