**Geologists’ Association Calls for Referendum to Resolve Crucitas Mining Dispute**
The Costa Rican College of Geologists has formally proposed a national referendum as the definitive solution to the long-standing impasse regarding the Crucitas gold mining project. The organization argues that legislative processes have proven ineffective and that a public vote is necessary to bypass political delays.
The Crucitas project has been a subject of national debate since 2009, when the Constitutional Chamber declared the open-pit mining concession granted to a foreign company illegal. Over the past 15 years, the site has been subject to unauthorized mining by individuals and, more recently, organized criminal networks, driven by the rising international market value of gold.
Néstor Chamorro, president of the College of Geologists, stated that the current situation results in both environmental degradation and the illicit extraction of national resources.
“The country cannot allow the gold to be stolen while environmental damage continues,” Chamorro said. “If the public decides they do not want to extract the gold, at least the country will have made that decision.”
The College of Geologists contends that the Legislative Assembly is ill-equipped to resolve the issue, citing potential obstruction from political parties such as the Broad Front (Frente Amplio) and the National Liberation Party (Liberación Nacional). Chamorro characterized legislative discussions as “dilatory tactics” and argued that a referendum—similar to the 2007 vote on the Dominican Republic–Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)—is the only way to reach a final resolution.
The association advocates for a transition toward regulated, technical mining, which it describes as the only “socially and environmentally responsible” approach to managing the site.
Chamorro emphasized that the state is losing significant economic opportunities due to political inaction. He noted that the presence of organized crime in the area poses an increasing security challenge for local communities, who remain waiting for a definitive government response.
“The time to act is running out,” Chamorro stated. “We cannot allow this problem to be forgotten in a desk at the Legislative Assembly.”
Article source: larepublica.net | Image credit: LaRepublica.net
