Gold mine threatens spider monkeys and macaws in Costa Rica

Tell Costa Rican President Chinchilla: gold mining ban should apply to Crucitas mine too

Canadian mining company Infinito Gold is pushing for Costa Rican government permission to start the Crucitas open-pit gold mine in northern Costa Rica.

Forests, rivers, communities, endangered species threatened
If built, the mine would destroy tropical forest that hosts endangered species like the Great Green Macaw and Geoffrey’s spider monkey in the Agua y Paz Biosphere Reserve. The mine could also threaten communities’ agricultural livelihoods and the San Juan River on the border with Nicaragua with toxic spills.

End special treatment for the Crucitas proposal
The new President of Costa Rica, Laura Chinchilla, decreed a ban on all gold mining as she came into office this past May. But her decision has not stopped the Crucitas project that was declared of “national interest.” She needs to do more to protect Costa Rican communities and biodiversity from gold mining’s destructive impacts.

TAKE ACTION
Please write to President Laura Chinchilla and urge her to stop the planned Crucitas mine! Our allies in Costa Rica have requested YOUR help. Please write now.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Read the sample letter on the right.
Customize the subject and letter text -- personalized letters have greater impact
Click "Send Your Message" at page bottom to send your letter to Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla

MORE INFORMATION:

EARTHWORKS' Crucitas page.
fueradecrucitas.com [in Spanish]
fueradecrucitas.com [translated into English by Google]

Subject:

Your Letter:

I applaud you on your bold decision to protect Costa Rica’s magnificent natural resources and environment from gold mining impacts.  I was impressed by your leadership on this important issue.
 
In light of this, I am surprised that the proposed Crucitas gold mine in northern Costa Rica has yet to be ruled out.   If built, the mine would destroy tropical forest that hosts endangered species like the Great Green Macaw and Geoffrey’s spider monkey in the Agua y Paz Biosphere Reserve.  The mine could also threaten livelihoods and the San Juan River on the border with Nicaragua with toxic spills.

We know of your commitment to a sustainable development model for Costa Rica that does not come at the cost of the environment or peoples’ health.  We agree with you in your quest for an economic model that is "more innovative and intelligent."

The world is looking to Costa Rica for leadership on environmental protection. I urge you to take immediate steps to protect Costa Rica’s natural resources from gold mining impacts by halting the Crucitas gold mining project . Thank you.

Sincerely,

Laura Chinchilla

President of Costa Rica

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