Commerce Group Corp., the U.S. company who ran the mine in since the 1970s had their license revoked in 2006, following the pollution of the San Sebastián River.

The license revocation prompted the owners to unsuccessfully sue the government, before abandoning the mine.

San Sebastian Gold Mine is located 2.5 miles northwest of Santa Rosa de Lima in the La Unión Department of El Salvador.

[6] The mining process caused polluted the San Sebastián River with cyanide, arsenic, and mercury, fouling drinking water supplies and preventing agriculture.

[6] The company ultimately abandoned the mine, although pollution in the San Sebastian River remains.