The Ministry of Energy and Mining has reported the suspension of work at the Miraflores mining front, in Portovelo Canton, El Oro Province, and is asking mine owners to respect what is prescribed by the Mining Law and other regulations governing safety. and the health of its workers.

The decision to suspend was made due to three explosions that occurred at 7:50 a.m. on Thursday, December 7, 2023, in which one person was killed. As a result of the detonations, there was also damage to the infrastructure and collateral sites.

A worker died in the explosion of a powder warehouse in Portovel

On that day, it was announced that the Agency for Regulation and Supervision of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources had put seals on the ban on mining works in that sector, and that the Ministry’s Southern Regional Coordination had implemented an administrative procedure to suspend it. mining concession.

This Saturday, December 9, the state department issued a statement in which it demands compliance with the Mining Act and safety regulations, and calls for the adoption of prevention measures, mitigating possible risks and responsible assurance of non-staff operations.

The Miraflores mining front is located within the Minanca concession at 389.

The Ministry of Energy and Mining assures that other mining works belonging to the Minanca concession are proceeding normally.