Costa Rica, Parliament approves law against illegal mining

The Costa Rican Parliament has unanimously approved, in its second and final reading, a law that considers illegal mining an organized crime activity and stiffens penalties for environmental crimes.

The text provides for two to eight years in prison for the illegal extraction or exploitation of minerals in protected areas and for the trade in illegally extracted minerals.

Two to six years are foreseen for anyone who promotes, finances, organizes or profits from extraction without authorization.

For the extraction, transport, processing or sale of minerals without permission outside protected areas, the penalty ranges from one to six years.

The reform also extends the new provisions to illegal wildlife trafficking, forestry crimes and those related to fishing. The measure was approved with 52 votes and must now be signed by President Laura Fernandez to come into force.