NGO denounces Nicaragua's failure to combat illegal mining with Costa Rica

Nicaragua is reportedly failing to honor its commitments to Costa Rica in the fight against illegal gold mining and the smuggling of the precious metal across their shared border, according to an environmental NGO. Fundación del Río stated that neither Nicaragua's Navy nor its Ministry of Transport have taken measures to halt the flow of artisanal miners who use the San Juan River, a natural border, to access illegal mining sites in both nations. This accusation comes despite a bilateral agreement signed on February 28th, which established enhanced police coordination, information exchange, a communication focal point, and bi-monthly meetings between security officials to tackle illegal gold mining. Fundación del Río, now operating from Costa Rica after being outlawed in Nicaragua, claims to have monitored Nicaragua's adherence to the agreement and found that illegal mining activities persist. The organization has identified new illegal mining sites within Nicaragua's Río San Juan Wildlife Refuge, situated mere kilometers from Nicaraguan military and environmental ministry posts, and even closer to the Costa Rican border. Furthermore, the NGO has documented the continued transportation of mining materials by 'güiriseros' or 'coligalleros', artisanal miners, from both sides of the border. These miners utilize the San Juan River for aquatic transport of sediment, which is then processed either in Costa Rica or Nicaragua. The report also warns that mining concessions granted to Chinese companies in border areas have intensified mining activity and introduced semi-industrial processing techniques. Fundación del Río asserts that the illegal mining situation in Costa Rican areas like Crucitas and Conchudita cannot be resolved without political will from the Nicaraguan regime to halt the illegal flow of miners and mining operations in the border zones. Costa Rican President Laura Fernández had previously expressed concern over a potential 'invasion' of illegal miners from Nicaragua, citing the concessions granted to Chinese firms near the border.

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Neither the Navy of the Army of Nicaragua nor the General Directorate of Aquatic Transport of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure have taken actions to stop the flow of artisanal miners who use the San Juan River (border river) as a means to mobilize and disembark in illegal mining areas in Costa Rica and in Nicaragua.