(Screenshot from nostr:npub19xgymswuxyq4sx58enft9c6algrm72a6lchplm4rjzgklufn9ygq5kcu58 )

El Salvador was the first country to completely ban mining of resources. It makes sense why one would want to extract that wealth, but has to balance with several things.

IMO they should reopen the existing mines, create some sustainable jobs for the next two decades and use the resources to offset their deficit. It's strategically good, but has resistance from social, religious and environmental groups for obvious reasons.

El Salvador is small, mining requires vast stretches of land, even just to dump overburden. There has to be a balance here without the human/environment cost that will affect the country and still does (from decades past).

Bitcoin is helping achieve this without the environmental and social upheaval that comes with mining and tailings, thus I think smaller scale mining is probably best.

In any case, to get their gold to a marketable 99.99% fine troy ounce level will also require industry and stripping, which I do not think they can afford to do.