18 indigenous territories in Nicaragua threatened by mining concessions

Nicaragua's indigenous territories are facing significant threats from extensive mining concessions, with at least 62 concessions overlapping 18 territories and covering a total of 681,574 hectares. The Fundación Río has warned that this mining activity compromises vital river systems and poses a risk of "potentially irreversible" damage to the ecosystem and the health of local communities. The Atlas of mining concessions in indigenous and Afro-descendant territories of Nicaragua details that these areas encompass 163 rivers, 80 streams, and 1,894 kilometers of waterways.

"Mining extractivism not only threatens the land surface but also the water sources that sustain ecosystems, community production, fishing, agriculture, mobility, food, and the health of communities," stated a document prepared by Fundación del Río, Red Local, Fundación Sin Límites, and a group of indigenous organizations. The report emphasizes that in territories where water is central to collective life, the contamination of rivers and streams leads to cumulative and potentially irreversible environmental risks, significantly compromising the health of individuals exposed to pollutants.

Several indigenous territories in the North Caribbean region are disproportionately affected. Tuahka Takaln Balna has seen 54,556 hectares, or 88.64% of its territory, granted under 13 mining concessions. Similarly, Tasba Pri Matriz Indígena has 79,897 hectares across 7 lots conceded, representing 83.77% of its land. Mayangna Sauni Arungka “Matunbak” has 48,723 hectares in 11 lots conceded, covering 63.79% of its territory. In the central part of the country, mining concessions cover 56.37% of the Chorotega–Norte territory and 50.05% of the Matagalpa territory.

Amaru Ruiz, director of Fundación del Río, explained that the mining concessions in these territories are held by companies with Chinese, Canadian, Colombian, and Nicaraguan capital. Currently, 25% of Nicaragua's national territory, approximately 32,000 square kilometers, is under concession. The government of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo plans to expand these concessions further, aiming to cover up to 40% of the national territory, according to the government's budget framework. The article notes that mining in indigenous territories yields minimal benefits for the local population.

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En territorios “donde el agua es parte central de la vida colectiva, la afectación de ríos y quebradas implica riesgos ambientales acumulativos y potencialmente irreversibles, a la vez que comprometería considerablemente la salud de las personas expuestas a contaminantes”.