Honduras bans open-pit mining

In 2022, Honduras took a major step by announcing a ban on open-pit mining, joining El Salvador and Costa Rica as the only Central American countries to prohibit this environmentally destructive practice. The Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mines cancelled environmental permits for new projects and committed to shutting down existing operations, citing harm to natural resources, public health, and water access. The decision came after years of environmental devastation and violence against activists, illustrated by specific cases like environmentalist Irma Lemus, who was forced to flee the country for protesting mining projects in Colón, and six environmental defenders who were jailed for opposing the Los Pinares mine in Guapinol that allegedly contaminated local drinking water sources. Despite this positive development, some conservationists have expressed concern about potential legal challenges from mining companies that could delay implementation of the government's plans.