What Are the Economic Benefits of the Mining Operation to Belize?

Osmany Salas

The BNN is recommending that the media and other independent entities be invited to the site to find out for themselves exactly what is happening with Boiton Minerals Limited, which has been working in the area for two decades. 

Osmany Salas, Senator for N.G.O.s

“Belizeans also need to know what are the benefits of such an operation to the government and people of Belize. How much gold has been extracted over the years? This company has been operating in the area for many years; I believe there may be new owners of the company now. It has retained the name, but it would be very good for the public to know how much gold has been extracted. How much royalties have been paid to the Government of Belize? How is the country benefitting from that operation.  Any operation that depends on extracting resources…these resources should never be owned by any private entity. These resources are for the people of Belize. So companies get the opportunity to – like with petroleum for example; in this case gold – to invest to be able to extract. So they get a special permit to do that. In return, they must pay, the right to royalties, all their taxes and ensure that the impact to the environment are kept to a minimum and where there is need to have restorative work done that that must be done.”