The Mining exports in 2021 reached a figure of $2,092 million, 31% above the goal that they had originally calculated and that it was $1.6 billion. Thus, the exports that were mostly copper concentrate ($ 920 million); gold concentrate ($591 million); gold in doré bars ($573 million) and other minerals ($8 million) they were 99% higher than those of 2020 ($ 1,050 million).
The number allows mining continue as the fourth most important item in exports after oil, shrimp and bananas. That’s how he explained it this morning the Minister of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources, Juan Carlos Bermeo, during the event “Investments in the energy mining sector in Ecuador, organized by the British Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce.
The number of exports could increase to about $4,040 million in 2025. However, this activity and the growth of the country in general could represent an increase in electricity demand. For this reason, Minister Bermeo also spoke at the event about the need to advance in new electrical projects, in which he said mining companies could also participate. He explained that the investments required in the electricity plan for the year 2031 to ensure the future supply of electricity demand are greater than $13,000 million.
Within this process are the three projects called Non-Conventional Renewable Energies Block, the Combined Cycle Block and the Northeast Interconnection Transmission System. These are in a stage of receiving offers, after the Government has decided to extend the term for this process. He also confirmed that projects such as Cardenillo, Santiago, are planned for the future.
For its part, the president of the Chamber of Industries and Production, Pablo Zambrano stressed the need for an environment of legal security to be lived in the country, since this is the cornerstone of attracting investment. In this sense, he lamented a final ruling 11-49-19-jp/21 of the Constitutional Court on the Río Magdalena mining project. He explains that this declares an environmental license null and void for failing to comply with a regulation that did not exist and prohibits mining activities in places where the State had already granted concessions. This drives away investment. For Zambrano, unfortunately, these types of decisions come from what he called “an activist Court.” He explained that this role does not correspond to the Court.
The minister asked the mining sector to work in a cohesive and harmonious manner and not to act for private interests.
The Minister Bermeo also took the opportunity to explain the reasons why it has been decided, given the findings of illegal mining, to suspend all types of mining activity in the Napo sector. He explained that the measure will become official in these days, but assured that it has been a thoughtful and meditated measure, above all to protect the rights of the community and nature. He explained that in all the years of his life he had not seen such devastation caused by illegal mining. He commented that in less than four months that area was filled with huge bulldozers. “They went from having 5 excavators to 105 in four months,” he said. He said that if it is calculated that each of them can cost $250,000, the economic power can be verified. of these sectors that act outside the law.
Source: Eluniverso
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