The Parliament of Ecuador approved with 77 votes the bill presented by the Executive to optimize public and private management in mining and electric energy.
The initiative seeks to strengthen the operational performance of both sectors, generate fiscal revenues and foreign exchange, and contribute to the macroeconomic sustainability of the State.
The legislators who supported the law argue that illegal mining is what destroys territories and that the law will allow responsible investment with environmental control. According to pro-government assembly member Alejandro Lara, the proposal does not imply choosing between employment and nature, but rather guaranteeing both with clear rules.
Indigenous and social rejection
The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie) denounced that the law relaxes environmental controls, replaces licenses with simple authorizations, allows concessions for up to 30 years, and enables the militarization of territories.
For the organization, the Assembly chose “extractivism over water.” Leaders like Yaku Pérez labeled the law as “ecocidal” and announced legal actions and even protests.
Structural changes
The approved report reforms several articles of the Mining Law:
- Strengthens the State’s governance and specifies institutional competencies.
- Updates the regime of conservation patents and exploration/exploitation stages.
- Incorporates a chapter on investment promotion and strategic security areas.
In the energy sector, the Organic Law of the Public Electric Energy Service was modified to modernize concepts such as distributed generation, self-supply, and autonomous energy districts. Rules are also established for the exceptional participation of private companies, foreign state companies, and the popular and solidarity economy.
Tensions with the Amazon
One of the most controversial points was the allocation of royalties to the Amazon. Initially, an article put at risk the 30% allocated to that region, which generated tensions with Amazonian legislators. Finally, the text was corrected to restore the parliamentary majority.
Key points of the controversy
- Approval and tensions: the law was approved after intense debates and modifications.
- Indigenous rejection: Conaie and other social movements denounce setbacks in environmental rights.
- Pro-government arguments: the government argues that the law attracts formal investment and combats illegality.
- Structural changes: exploration and exploitation stages, patent regime, and energy rules are updated.
- Amazonian conflict: the article on royalties was corrected to avoid political fractures.
The mining and energy law approved by the Ecuadorian Parliament opens a new chapter in the country’s extractive policy.
While the government presents it as a tool to attract investment and ensure legal security, indigenous communities and opposition sectors consider it an environmental and social setback. The text now goes to the Executive for implementation, while opponents prepare unconstitutionality lawsuits and mobilizations.
