Mining for Profits

Sarah Anderson, IPS Global Economy Project Director

Posted: Huffington Post-12/16/11 02:46 PM ET

The small country of El Salvador has dared to stand up against powerful international gold mining companies. And now they’re dealing with the blowback.

One of the companies salivating over El Salvador’s gold is suing the government for their failure to bow down and grant a permit for a proposed mining project. There is strong local resistance to the project because of concerns it could poison a river that is the source of water for more than half the national population.

The company, Pacific Rim, is demanding in excess of $77 million in compensation, alleging violations of “investor protections” under the U.S. trade agreement with Central America.

For the full article see here.