Honduras

Honduras has a rich mining history that dates back to the Mayan civilization. The Mayans were skilled at extracting gold, silver and other metals and used them for both religious and decorative purposes. With the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century, large-scale mining operations began in Honduras. The Spanish exploited the rich mineral resources in the region and used indigenous peoples as slaves to work in the mines. Mining continued throughout colonial rule, but declined in the 19th and early 20th centuries due to political instability and changes in the global market.

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In the mid-20th century, foreign companies began to invest in Honduran mining operations once again. From the 1950s to the 1980s, the country was a major producer of lead, zinc and silver, with several large mines in operation. However, political and economic instability led to a decline in the industry once again in the 1990s. Recently, there has been renewed interest in Honduras' mineral resources, particularly gold. Despite this, there remain environmental concerns and issues surrounding the rights of Indigenous peoples and communities affected by mining operations.