Mining exports to Ecuador have surpassed – by value – banana and plantain exports according to data presented by the Central Bank of Ecuador (BCE) in its monthly statistical information. Total exports of mining products were $334 million in February 2023, while exports of bananas and plantains were $329 million.

In addition, during 2022, large-scale mining displaced bananas and bananas from third place in the months of April, June, August and September.

The Chamber of Mines of Ecuador asks the Constitutional Court to dismiss the lawsuit on the unconstitutionality of the norm for environmental consultation presented by Conaie

In the global total of exports from Ecuador – until February of this year – the mining sector remained the fourth export item (after oil, shrimp, bananas), and the first in non-traditional exports. This consolidates it as the fastest growing sector in our economy.

“These numbers show the importance of more mining projects moving forward and becoming the mine of the future; not only because of the benefits for Ecuador in terms of taxes, job creation and poverty reduction, but also for the world, since minerals will be key to the energy transition that the planet so needs to face the climate crisis”, indicates the Chamber of Mines of Ecuador.

The figures were highlighted by the Ministry of Energy and Mining, through a press release, in which it was stated that copper and its concentrate were the most exported mining products, with 162.84 million dollars, which represents 49% of the total amount, followed by doré gold with 109.98 million dollars (33%). Finally, it is followed by gold concentrate with 60.50 million dollars (18%).

China is still the largest destination for mining exports, which in February amounted to 172.14 million dollars -51.48%-. Switzerland is in second place with $38.15 million (11.41 percent), and the United Arab Emirates is third with $35.78 million or 10.70 percent.

They add that the Mirador mine exported $155.56 million (46.87 percent of total exports) in February, followed by Fruta del Norte and a group of small mines with $91.88 million and $86.93 million, respectively.

Criticism for the opening of new projects

Although the economic figures for large-scale mining are positive, the sector faces criticism from social and indigenous organizations that oppose the continued opening of new projects and the further granting of mining concessions by the state.

The court ruling in the case of Llurimagu marks the jurisprudence in Ecuador and is considered historic for the resistance against mining

In fact, there is currently a cap on environmental permits due to the Constitutional Court’s request to reform the Environmental Protection Act to establish and define parameters for environmental consultation, and this is already affecting the mining sector. Conaie filed a lawsuit of unconstitutionality for the decree issued by President Guillermo Lasso on the pre-legislative consultation that is the previous step to define the terms of the environmental consultation.