Despite mining companies saying they are suspending operations in Ecuador due to Covid-19, on the ground work continues to take place, angering at-risk local communities and indigenous groups. “The Rainforest Action Group is concerned that miners moving through the region are putting locals at risk. Four miners located at Rocafuerte, the operational base for Solgold’s … Read More
Author: MRAG
Cornerstone Resources illegally exploring at Rio Magdalena?
Cornerstone Capital Resources announces high potential Porphery targets at Espejo and Rio Magdalena, but fails to mention that Rio Magdalena is subject to a stop work order issued by the Provincial court in Imbabura in June 2019 due to the area’s high environmental significance. For the past eight months, local environmental groups have been denouncing … Read More
BHP’s divide and conquer
First published in The Ecologist By Liz Downes 21st February 2020 BHP is putting pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and communities in a mega-biodiverse region of Ecuador despite flaunting its commitment to environmental sustainability. The world’s biggest mining company is publicly committing to a clean, green transition: promising to shift from one of the world’s biggest … Read More
SolGold pushes ahead in Awá territory despite opposition
Communities barricaded a bridge in Chical, close to the Colombian border, on January 17 to express their frustration with mining companies continuing to explore despite community opposition. The event took place around 5 kilometres from SolGold’s Chical concessions, where they announced significant deposits last year. “The blockade was the latest in a series of measures … Read More
Timeline of BHP’s divide-and-conquer tactics in Intag, Ecuador
Tensions are escalating quickly as BHP aggressively pushes into communities in the farming and rainforest region of Intag, Ecuador, in their efforts to begin gold and copper explorations on schedule. BHP owns two concessions (Santa Teresa 1 and 2) in this region of northwestern Ecuador. These concessions were granted by the Ecuadorian Government with zero … Read More
Police and BHP use aggressive tactics against community in Cazarpamba
Ongoing resistance to BHP’s attempts to explore for copper and gold in its Santa Teresa 2 concession came to a head on Tuesday 14th January when police attempted to dismantle a community blockade so BHP employees could pass. A subsequent community meeting on 18th January voted for the immediate call for revocation of all mining … Read More
BHP reps flee after community members oppose closed-door meeting
A closed-door meeting held to recruit employees from the Cazarpamba community in Imbabura ended unexpectedly for BHP representatives who fled in embarrassment after community members decried the company’s presence in a region which overwhelmingly voted to reject mining at a parish assembly on the 23rd November. It is alleged that BHP representatives only invited members … Read More
BHP’s hopes for copper blighted by community resistance
A community assembly in Intag on the 23rd November – an area BHP touts as being its Ecuador stronghold – ended with the almost unanimous rejection of mining in the area. The meeting was held only the day before rumours surfaced that BHP would be increasing their stake in SolGold. The assembly held in the … Read More
BHP AGM 7 November 2019
BHP held their 2019 AGM in Sydney on November 7. A small, peaceful protest was held outside by climate groups wanting to draw public focus to the debate around BHP leaving the Minerals Council. Two Rainforest Action Group members flew to Sydney from Hobart and Melbourne to ask questions as proxy shareholders. The Rainforest Action … Read More
Investor risk alert for Cascabel
Cascabel is an investor nightmare. Located in close proximity to the Colombian/Ecuadorian border, in an area the Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) advises not to travel