TEGUCIGALPA, March 12, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - Honduras on Friday clarified that 
existing open-pit mining contracts remain in effect, after President Xiomara 
Castro said she was banning the practice.

  Castro on March 1 announced the ban in the Central American nation 
declaring the mining style harmful to the environment and to people.

  The move was met with joy by rights defenders and environmentalists but 
brought uncertainty to the industry.

  Natural Resources and Environment Minister Lucky Medina told AFP Friday 
that large mining companies that use surface mining will be allowed to 
continue their activities in Honduras under "strict surveillance" until their 
permits expire.

  That includes gold mines operated by multinational Aura Minerals in San 
Andres in the west of the country and iron oxide mines in Tocoa in the 
northeast.