Blogs
Costa Rica. 2c-case study
In the 90's a company from Canada called Infinite Gold came to Costa Rica to build a mine in San Carlos. In that time the president was Miguel Angel Rodriguez, he said that they could only build the mine if they had the permit from the Environmental Minister, which canceled the project. Then in 2006 the president, Oscar Arias, said that it was for public benefit, so he allowed the building of the mine. The mine was a problem for everyone because it would contaminated not only the land but also the water sources for many communities that lived near it. In 2008 the company left because of the low earnings they had.
Last week the government found out that 22 people where extracting gold in the mine illegally. They were using mercury for the extraction, mercury is a very toxic chemical because of the consequences it causes in humans and to the environment. If humans get in contact with mercury they could have problems in their inmune system, nervous system, and lungs. The land gets affected because the mercury makes it less fertile, the water becomes undrinkable and very toxic well.
Long term: mercury could affect many organisms and people that life near the area. Also lost of biodiversity, children exploration and corruption
short term: the area of extraction has been deforested. This area is very environmentally sensitive because it contains a variety of endangered trees and 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.
In a way locals benefits because they earn money and jobs. But they are also in disadvantage because they have to work with mercury and as mentioned before mercury is really harmful for humans inmune system. Its related to colonization because the earnings are going to a different country.
NFO’s, Government and activists are against the mines.
What could a socially and environmentally ethical response look like?
socially and environmentally ethicals responded by closing the mines and providing jobs to the locals.
