No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeCosta RicaCosta Rica Mining Collapse Causes Environmental Disaster

Costa Rica Mining Collapse Causes Environmental Disaster

In Abangares, a mining water storage lagoon with chemicals such as mercury and cyanide was reported to have collapsed. This caused the stream that carries water to the Abangares River, Guanacaste.

Personnel from the Ministry of Health and the Judicial Investigation Organism (OIJ) visited the site for an inspection.

The incident caused the death of several species of fish and shrimp in the Santa Lucía and Abangares rivers, as confirmed by the director of Arenal Tempisque Conservation Areas, Alexánder León.

“One of the lagoons collapsed and affected another, so there was a large material spill on the Santa Lucia and Abangares rivers. There was significant contamination because there was a large amount of dead fish and shrimp. Yesterday (Friday), samples were taken for analysis,” he informed.

The collapsed lagoon is located at a local mining plant and is used to store and separate metal compounds. The rupture generated enormous mud that descended through a creek that flows into the Abangares River.

A resident, who has opposed the mining projects, told El País that neighbors had been affected by odors coming from the river that cause headaches and sore throats.

The specific causes of the event are not known. However, it is believed that the rains may have contributed to the incident.

“There is no certainty, but we do have to remember that, in the last few days, it was raining a lot, and perhaps the heavy rains or some other factor influenced one of the walls to collapse and cause all this material to be diverted into the river,” the staff explained.

Heriberto Cubero, Mayor of Abangares, mentioned that two investigations are still open because the lagoons do not have to have sediments of contaminating chemicals.

“One hypothesis indicates that it could be due to chemicals, and the second hypothesis suggests that mud was formed due to the number of sediments present, which caused the animals to lack oxygen to survive,” Cubero explained.

The Cantonal Union of Development Associations of Abangares (Uncada) indicated this was an absolute environmental disaster.

“The communities of Abangares Canton live today an environmental tragedy that affects us all; the municipal mining commission, the miners, and UNCADA are shocked by this situation. We informed MINAE that this is not a product of artisanal mining,” they said on their Facebook page.

Trending Now

Malcolm-Jamal Warner’s Drowning in Costa Rica Ruled Accidental

The death of American actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner has been confirmed as accidental drowning, according to Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ). Warner, 54, was...

Costa Rica Launches Traceability System to Tackle Illegal Logging

Costa Rica is advancing with the creation of a National Forest Traceability System, a key tool to guarantee the legality and sustainability of timber...

Costa Rica Faces Economic Blow as Intel, Pfizer, and Qorvo Announce Restructuring

Intel announced that it will shut down its chip assembly and test plant in Costa Rica, part of a broader global restructuring aimed at...

Keylor Navas Joins Pumas After Controversial Exit from Newell’s

Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas is officially the newest player for Pumas UNAM, but his move from Argentina’s Newell’s Old Boys has been anything...

Panama Farmer Receives Land Title After 60-Year Wait at Age 109

A 109-year-old Panamanian farmer has received the land title for the property where he lives and works—six decades after first requesting it from the...

Costa Rica Tops Latin America in Attracting Foreign Millionaires

Costa Rica is a country that attracts millionaires. Projections indicate that by the end of 2025, a total of 350 foreign millionaires will have...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica