Central America and the Caribbean: A quick guide

Costa Rica

Population: 5,204,411

Capital: San Jose

Surface Area: 51,100 km2

Mineral exports: US$1.4 billion (mineral fuels)

Costa Rica is known for its efforts to preserve its incredible biodiversity (which attracts 2.3 million tourists annually). It is also home to rich gold deposits and currently has a number of small operating mines. which led to the closure of Infinito Gold’s Las Crucitas mine. But illegal mining remains a serious problem, threatening water supplies.

CUBA

Population: 11,089,511

Capital: Havana

Surface Area: 109,884 km2

Mineral Exports: US$240 million (Nickel, Cobalt)

The largest of the Caribbean islands, Cuba has been ruled by the Cuban Communist Party for the last six decades. That has not prevented Canada’s Sherritt Corporation investing in the nickel mines which is one of the country’s principal sources of foreign currency.

Dominican Republic

Population: 10,694,700

Capital: Santo Domingo

Surface Area: 48,671 km2

Mineral Exports: US$2.1 billion (Gold, ferronickel)

Best known as a tourism destination, the Dominican Republic is also home to the largest gold mine in Latin America as well as a major ferronickel operation.

Guatemala

Population: 17,608,483

Capital: Guatemala City

Surface Area: 108,889 km2

Mineral Exports: US$116 million (nickel, gold)

Guatemala offers enormous potential in both precious metals and critical minerals, such as nickel and cobalt. Several leading mining companies have projects in Guatemala, including Lundin Group, Pan American Silver, and Newmont Mining.. However, the industry has been hit by environmental opposition to mining, which led to the closing of Goldcorp’s Marlin gold mine in 2010.

Honduras

Population: 9,459,440

Capital: Tegucigalpa

Surface Area: 112,492 km2

Mineral Exports: US$150 million (Gold, precious metals scrap)

Honduras is home to some of the oldest mining operations in Central America. The El Mochito zinc and silver mine has been in production since 1948. In 2021, newly elected President Xiomara Castro implemented a ban on new open pit mines although existing operations have been allowed to continue.

Nicaragua

Population: 6,301,880

Capital: Managua

Surface Area: 130,375 km2

Mineral Exports: US$935 million (gold)

Although it is ruled by the increasingly authoritarian President Daniel Ortega, Nicaragua has attracted significant investment toits gold industry.

PANAMA

Population: 4,337,768

Capital: Panama City

Surface Area: 75,417 km2

Mineral Exports: US$2.9 billion (Copper, gold)

With the launch of the US$6.2 billion Cobre Panama mine in 2020, Panama became the region’s largest mineral exporter and a leading producer of copper.