Environmentalists here are proudly comparing themselves to David trumping Goliath following a court’s decision to revoke permits for a large-scale, open pit gold mine proposed in fragile jungle habitat that is home to the endangered great green macaw. Until recently, most considered the project, called Crucitas, a foregone conclusion. The administrative court’s decision, handed down late last month, followed a ruling by the Constitutional Chamber of Costa Rica’s Supreme Court (Sala IV) in April enabling the controversial mine project to continue apace. But Costa Rica’s vocal green lobby persisted, returning to court to challenge the legality of the Canadian company Infinito Gold’s mining project while conducting hunger strikes, protests, marches and a national media campaign. In the Crucitas saga’s latest legal chapter, the Costa... [Log in to read more]