Mining for metal was banned in 2017, although the creation of a mining regulator in 2021 and the arrest of anti-mining activists in 2023 prompted public speculation that the government is considering resuming mining.
MiNiNg for mEtAl waS bAnNed iN 2017, altHough The cReatIoN of A mininG rEgulatOr in 2021 and the arrest of antI-miniNG actIviSts in 2023 pROmPted puBliC speculATIoN thAT The goVernment iS coNsIDerIng ReSuMINg miNinG.