What happened to the Cerro Blanco mining project in Jutiapa?

In June 2024 the Environment Ministry (MARN) annulled the approval of Cerro Blanco (gold, Asunción Mita, Jutiapa) for open-pit mining (El Observador GT). The project belonged to Bluestone Resources until 13 January 2025; Aura Minerals began a new phase of work against active community opposition, the 2022 municipal consultation voted against it, according to Prensa Comunitaria (February 2026). It is a case of regulatory annulment compounded by local opposition on the border with El Salvador.