The Perceived Consequences of Gold Mining in Postwar El Salvador: A Qualitative Study

Objectives: We investigated themes related to the health and environmental impacts of gold mining in El Salvador.

Methods: Over a 1-month period in 2013, we conducted focus groups (n = 32 participants in total) and individual semistructured interviews (n = 11) with community leaders until we achieved thematic saturation. Data collection took place in 4 departments throughout the country. We used a combination of criterion-purposive and snowballing sampling techniques to identify participants.

Results: Multiple themes emerged: (1) the fallacy of economic development; (2) critique of mining activities; (3) the creation of mining-related violence, with parallels to El Salvador's civil war; and (4) solutions and alternatives to mining activity. Solutions involved the creation of cooperative microenterprises for sustainable economic growth, political empowerment within communities, and development of local participatory democracies.

Conclusions: Gold mining in El Salvador is perceived as a significant environmental and public health threat. Local solutions may be applicable broadly.