Q COSTARICA — San Carlos authorities report a massive influx of Nicaraguan gold miners known as “coligalleros” to the Crucitas area, following Daniel Ortega’s government’s decision to grant mining concessions to China near the San Juan River.
The Municipality of San Carlos has warned of an increase in the irregular entry of gold miners into Costa Rican territory, especially following the recent transfer of several mines in the border area.
According to the newspaper La Prensa, Nicaragua has transferred three mining properties within the Indio Maíz Biological Reserve, located on the border with Costa Rica. The latest concession was reportedly granted in August.
The proximity of this reserve to Crucitas may be facilitating the illegal entry of illegal miners via the San Juan River, according to reports from residents in the northern area.
Local authorities express their concern about the environmental, social, and security impact of the increase in illegal mining in Crucitas. Therefore, they are requesting the approval of a bill to regulate mining activity in the area.
Last week, the Municipality of San Carlos and legislator Gilberto Campos of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the districts of Cutris and Pocosol. However, President Rodrigo Chaves called the request “absurd.”
For now, local authorities are trying to contain the situation with the support of the Fuera Publica (national police), although they acknowledge that the available resources are insufficient to address the increase in illegal miners in the area.
Gold mining in makeshift tunnels, a high-risk activity, driven by the lack of economic opportunities in Costa Rica’s border communities, has become a stubborn problem. Driven by the lure of quick cash, coligalleros have carved out makeshift camps, using mercury and other toxic methods to extract gold.
The environmental toll is brutal. Despite government crackdowns, the miners keep coming.
Last Wednesday, rescue crews from the Bomberos and Cruz Roja pulled the bodies of two young Nicaraguans from an illegal mine in Crucitas.
With this incident, the number of miners killed in Crucitas and Abangares has reached five in less than 18 months. In March of this year, another collapse in Crucitas claimed the life of a young man, while in Guanacaste, three deaths were recorded in incidents linked to makeshift mining.
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