According to a survey by Disruptive Magazine of the Francisco Gavidia University (UFG), Salvadorans do not believe that mining in the country is possible without contaminating water or the environment.
When asked about supporting President Bukele’s proposal to implement metal mining, 48.73% of respondents said they did not support it, 23.51% expressed support, 19.92% were uncertain, and 7.84% stated they were unfamiliar with the topic or chose not to respond.
Furthermore, the Francisco Gavidia University survey revealed that 63% of respondents believe El Salvador lacks the necessary conditions for metal mining. Of this group, 48.33% asserted that the country has no mining conditions, while 14.45% consider them insufficient.
The Bukele administration is promoting a concept of green, non-polluting mining, arguing that modern mining technology used by today’s companies makes mining possible.
However, the survey reveals that 55.27% of respondents do not believe mining can occur without environmental or water contamination, and 15.92% expressed doubts about the feasibility of contamination-free mining.
The findings underscore widespread public concerns about the feasibility and ecological consequences of resuming metal mining in El Salvador.
SEE ALSO: El Salvador’s Challenges and Concerns: What Concerns Salvadorans the Most?
Mobilizations Against the Reactivation of Mining
In December 2024, the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly approved the metal mining law at the request of President Bukele.
Since then, churches, social organizations, and environmental groups have carried out different marches to reject the recent reactivation of metal mining in El Salvador.
The latest march was on January 19, in front of the Salvadoran National Library (BINAES.)
The protesters responded to a call made through social networks to meet at the National Library and express their opposition to the approval of the mining law in El Salvador.
SEE ALSO: UFG Survey: Despite Economic Struggles, Most Salvadorans Support the Country’s Current Direction
Churches in El Salvador Seek Signatures Against Mining
The Archdiocese of San Salvador, along with other local organizations, has launched a campaign to gather one million signatures opposing the introduction of metal mining in the country.
Messages on social media platforms are promoting the initiative to collect signatures in San Salvador’s parishes with the movement extending to the entire country to reach one million signatures.
The signatures will be submitted to the Legislative Assembly, challenging the constitutionality of the metal mining law.
