Note: By Decree No. 639, PROHIBITION LAW OF METALLIC MINING, of March 29, 2017, published in the Official Gazette No. 66, Volume No. 415 of April 4, 2017, metal mining was prohibited. Consequently no data or research on the number of ASM miners was found. In the Minamata Convention report 2021 (https://www.mercuryconvention.org/sites/default/files/documents/national_report/Report_El_Salvador_2021.English.pdf), the government indicates that ASM is insignificant.
However, video evidence (see youtube playlist below) suggests that ASM is ongoing, despite the mining ban.
Working hypothesis data:
Total: according to 2017 (?) data: → 2,000
Min/max: → 1,000 - 5,000
Female participation: low (10%), because no female miners seen in videos → 200
Gold: All video evidence shows ASGM → 2,000
Qualitative evidence (videos below)
| Reference | Year | Citation | Archived Copy | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GMA-18 | 2018 | UNEP (2018): Global Mercury Assessment 2018. Technical Background Report E-Annex. Chapter 3.2. UNEP, Geneva. | gma-18.pdf | wedocs.unep.org/… |
Videos:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLW0k64ZQOWloxCJHEP9rmZTedpK76Do35
Articles:
| ASM DATA - Country Database Record | |
|---|---|
| Country Code | SLV |
| Country | El Salvador |
| ASM Status | Existing (data assessed) |
| Country Count | 1 |
| ASM Miners | 2,000 |
| - gold | 2 ,000 |
| Data curation | supposed |
| Inc. DevMin | no |
| - min. | 1,000 |
| - max. | 5,000 |
| - female | 200 |
| ASM Commodities | gold |