2019 Publication of new report on crossborder impact of Cerro Blanco mine

In December 2019, Salvadoran umbrella organization, National Roundtable against Metallic Mining (Mesa Nacional frente a la Minería Metálica, MNFM) held a press conference to publicise its new report. “The impact of the Cerro Blanco transborder mine on water and health in El Salvador” set out the potentially grave impacts on El Salvador’s population if the Cerro Blanco mining project started exploitation under Bluestone Inc. The report, compiled by biologist and environmental researcher, Cidia Cortes, argued that the renewed mining activity would contaminate the water basin of the cross-border Ostúa- Metapán aquifer system, directly impacting the health of 500,000 Salvadoran inhabitants dependent on the basin’s water supply. The report also suggested that the project’s use of water would further reduce river flow, potentially resulting in increased social conflict over water resources.