Costa Rica approves prison sentences for illegal mining

The Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica has approved a reform to the Law against Organized Crime in a first-debate vote. The legislation seeks to impose prison sentences of two to eight years for illegal mining activities, including exploration, extraction, or exploitation within protected areas such as national parks, biological reserves, or wildlife areas.

Under the proposal, individuals who promote, finance, manage, or profit from the processing, transport, or commercialization of illegally obtained mineral resources could face two to six years in prison. The bill also addresses other environmental crimes, proposing sentences of two to four years for wildlife trafficking, which may increase to six years for endangered species. Additionally, penalties of one to three years are proposed for the illegal hunting or trading of sea turtles, potentially rising to six years for larger-scale offenses.

The reform, which was originally introduced by the Frente Amplio party, aims to combat environmental degradation and illegal resource extraction in regions like Crucitas. Artisanal sand mining remains excluded from this specific legislation. A second debate is scheduled for September 3.