Honduran bishop wins over president in fight to halt mining permits

Published: 2006-08-04

GUATEMALA CITY (CNS) -- Honduran Bishop Luis Santos Villeda of Santa Rosa de Copan has won the support of Honduras' president to halt certain mining permits and form a commission to address popular demands. The concessions came after Bishop Santos led a nationwide protest July 25 and met with Honduran President Manuel Zelaya Rosales Aug. 1. The bishop said afterward that he was satisfied with the results of the meeting. "It seems that the president is more inclined toward our proposal," the bishop said. However, he added, it's yet to be seen whether the country's legislature will go along with certain demands. The bishop hopes that the concessions will halt open-pit mining permits for minerals, which allows digging a massive pit for mining for metals. However, Bishop Santos said mining for building materials, like cement and rock, should be able to continue.

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