The Ministry of Energy and Mines of Ecuador has ordered the suspension of exploration and exploitation activities of gold in four concessions of the Chinese company Terraearth Resources due to environmental non-compliance.
- Talag.
- Confluence.
- Anzu Norte.
- El Icho.
These areas are part of the Tena mining project, located in the province of Napo.
The decision is based on reports from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE), which confirmed non-compliance with environmental regulations.
Environmental non-compliance
According to the official statement:
- Environmental and sectoral regulations were not respected.
- The approved environmental management plan was not followed.
- Obligations of the environmental license were violated.
The company must take corrective measures for environmental remediation, and the suspension will remain in effect until MAATE lifts the restriction.
Control of illegal mining and risks in the region
The Ecuadorian government maintains operations against illegal mining, especially in provinces like Orellana and Napo, where recently eleven soldiers were ambushed and killed during an operation.
Authorities attributed the attack to the Border Command group, dissidents of the former guerrilla FARC, although a statement attributed to this group denies their involvement.
Towards responsible and sustainable mining
The Ministry of Energy and Mines reaffirmed its commitment to:
- Monitor mining activities.
- Ensure that the sector strictly complies with current legislation.
- Consolidate environmentally sustainable mining respectful of local communities.
This case reflects the challenges and tensions Ecuador faces in regulating the mining industry, seeking to balance economic development with environmental protection.
