Find Mining expertise in Belize

Several metal and mineral deposits have been found in Belize, including gold, bauxite, barytes and cassiterite, but not in commercially viable quantities. There is a small amount of placer gold that is legally mined at the Ceibo Chico Creek mine in western Belize, near the Guatemalan border. Small scale artisanal and illegal placer gold mining occurs along various rivers in the Maya Mountains. The ruggedness of the landscape and poor law enforcement has meant that artisanal mining remains almost entirely undocumented, but it is suspected that many miners cross the border into Belize from Guatemala.

The Mining Unit separated from the Geology and Petroleum Department in 2012, and is now attached to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Agriculture. The Mines and Minerals Act (revised in 2000) formalises prospecting, permits, export and surveying rights.

Quarrying has not been a major contributor to the GDP in the country, coming in at 0.5 per cent in 2008. Dolomite limestone is extracted as a road ballast and fertilizer, and is mainly sold domestically to agricultural producers of bananas and citrus. Small quantities are also exported to Jamaica and Central and South America. In ancient times, the Mayans built cities and ceremonial centres out of limestone.

Historically, most materials used in building sites have been imported from other sources at a high expense. Development of the industry may reduce these costs by providing local materials. Quarrying made international news in 2013 after it was revealed that road workers had destroyed one of the country’s largest ancient Mayan pyramids for construction material.