Ecuador's national assembly receives mining reform bill

Ecuador’s national assembly received a mining reform bill, including extended prohibitions of mining in sensitive areas and provisions for greater community participation.

Mining is already prohibited in protected areas, but the president may grant exceptions upon request and if the national assembly determined operations would serve the national interest.

The latest proposals by lawmaker Salvador Quishpe of the indigenous Pachakutik movement prohibit mining in protected areas, certain forests, fragile ecosystems, water protection zones and urban areas, with exceptions allowed in line with the constitution.

Quishpe wants to eliminate contradictions in the current law and ensure mining does not affect ecosystems and indigenous populations.

“The constitution, for example, recognizes the rights of nature, the rights of water, and the collective rights of indigenous nations. It could be supposed that it prohibits mining and other extractive activities, but it is not like that because other articles allow mining, oil extraction, hydroelectric dams,” he told BNamericas.

“We don't want to ban mining, but we don't want that activity near springs and water sources, in moors. We ask that where mining is done, it is done well,” Quishpe said.

The bill also mentions a right to preferential employment and training for residents of mining areas, establishing that 70% of the required workforce must come from a project’s area of influence, except in areas where qualified labor is not available.

At least 10% of jobs in operations in indigenous territories must go to surrounding community members, while refining must be carried out in Ecuador, according to the bill.

The energy and mines ministry should prepare the technical and environmental conditions for refining plants and provide incentives.

The bill also contains a section prohibiting mining employees running for public office and force public officials with access to sensitive and lucrative information to sign five-year confidentiality agreements after they leave their posts.

A deadline for debating and voting the bill is not available.