Ecobreves – HONDURAS: Tighter Regulations for Mines

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TEGUCIGALPA, Jul 30 2007 (IPS) - The reforms of the Honduran Mining Law, expected to be approved in August, entail stricter controls over the mining companies, ranging from higher taxes to potential fines of more than one million dollars, legislative sources told Tierramérica. Currently, the mining industry pays a tax of one percent on the volume exported, but with the reforms it would reach five percent, in an effort to provide more resources for local governments, said legislative deputy Arnoldo Avilés, coordinator of the commission that drew up the changes.

They are being blocked by disagreements between lawmakers and civil society groups, who demand more effective laws to regulate mining exploration and exploitation in Honduras, given the environmental impacts of an industry that has led to the deforestation of more than 60 percent of the central Siria Valley.

If the reforms are passed, they would take effect at the end of 2007.