A Contentious-Administrative Tribunal issued a ruling temporarily preventing the mine from operating.
The ruling is in response to a complaint filed by the Flora and Fauna Preservation Association, who seeks to permanently shut down the gold mine.
Last week, the Constitutional Court had authorized the mine to being operating, as it didn’t find reasons to justify negative effects on the environment.
Mexico opened an additional import quota of 250.000 tons, as it faces low domestic sugar production.
Central American sugar growers seek to benefit from this situation. They expect exports to reach 2.8 million tons, explained José Orive, director of AICA, an association of Central American sugar growers.
“In 2009, Guatemala exported 277.000 tons of sugar to Mexico, a 900% increase when compared the 30.000 of a regular year.
Infinito Gold, owner of the strip mining project "Crucitas" in Costa Rica, presented investors details of the controversial $66 million mine.
The company reviewed the mine's total gold output at 940.000 ounces, raising the Net Present Value of the project to $127 million.
For projecting cash flows, Infinito used a price of $750 per gold ounce, and estimates a mining cost of $342.50 per ounce, which is "very competitive", according to the company.
Attorneys, Alvaro Sagot and Mario Peña, presented an action against the unconstitutionality of the Government degree declaring the Crucitas mining project to be in the public interest.
The decree, 34801-Minaet, was published in July 2008 and was signed by President Oscar Arias and the minister of the Environment, Roberto Dobles.
In the lawyers' opinion, the decree overrides socio-environmental aspects, and hence is serious violation of the constitution.
The Supreme Court of Costa Rica has ordered the suspension of works at the Crucitas gold mine due to enviromental claims.
Infinito Gold Ltd, the company responable for the developmen of the mine, reported that the court had ordered them to stop works to clear the property while they review the case presented by a group of environmentalists.
The Canadian company had already started to clear the land last week, but had stopped the works until the court makes a decision. The court has not given a date for its final decision.