Reading the Costa Rica mining law, mining regulation, environmental law and environmental regulations and guidelines is unlikely to inspire the academically inclined; whilst some of the concepts are sophisticated (and even novel in the case of certain aspects of its environmental law), the international mining lawyer and her client ultimately will conclude that the mining regulation portrays the influence of bureaucrats and government lawyers with good intentions, possibly, but a lack of experience. The preoccupation with forms, lists, procedures and state interest distracts the authors from establishing a sound regulatory framework to attract investment. Perhaps, inevitably, one might conclude that this is the intent. If the law were amended to remove the right of the state to have an interest in future mines (ranging from 33% to more) and make clear that, once awarded, title could not be revoked for subjective criteria, we would substantially rerate the country.