Author: MRAG

Quite apart from the ecological impacts of mining in forested areas, mining has significant environmental impacts, including long term contamination of soil and water sources, formation of sinkholes, and the production of large amounts of toxic waste, or tailings. Australia has strict regulatory watchdogs to ensure safe environmental practices. The news items below however, show … Read More

Today, the Mayor of the Cotacachi Municipality in the Imbabura Province of Ecuador, issued a formal denunciation to BHP Billiton over their mining concessions in the area, with particular concerns over their transgressions in protected reserves and conservation areas. Mining concessions totalling 22,570 hectares were given to BHP in the Cotacachi Canton despite unanimous rejection … Read More

Many of the mining concessions being handed out in Ecuador are within protected forests and indigenous reserves in outright violation of Ecuador’s Constitution.  No prior consultation occurred with affected communities. The degradation of protected areas, such as Bosques Protectores (Protected Forests), and the spread of mining roads and camps (and eventually mines) within the buffer zones … Read More

Heated clashes occurred between community members and security forces at Ecuagold’s Chinese owned Río Blanco mine this past week, with several arrests being made and reports that 3 leaders of the Ecuarunari, the national confederation of the Kichwa people, were abducted by mine workers. This mine is one of Ecuador’s five strategic mining projects and … Read More