The information provided by the officials will serve as inputs to initiate an inspection process on illegal mining in the country.
The ministers of Energy and Natural Resources, Juan Carlos Bermeo, and Government, Alexandra Vela, were summoned for this Wednesday before the Biodiversity and Non-Renewable Resources Commission, to explain the actions carried out in the face of the emergency in the Zaruma canton, province from El Oro, for illegal mining.
The presence of Minister Bermeo is scheduled for 08:30, while the attendance of the Minister of Government is scheduled for 15:00 on January 5.
The legislator Washington Varela (BAN), president of the Biodiversity commission, commented that the information provided by the Minister of Government, Alexandra Vela, on the events that occurred in Zaruma and the actions of the regime in the face of the emergency in the canton, is not enough. as there are no data on the seized machines, the number of detainees and the judicial processes in the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
He indicated that the problem of illegal mining is not only in the Zaruma canton, but also in other sectors of the country where problems of illegal mineral extraction persist. The inputs presented by the two officials will be used to initiate an inspection process.
In the Zaruma canton, on December 16, a sinkhole was registered as a result of illegal mining activity, leaving several families affected; consequently, the President of the Republic, Guillermo Lasso, issued a decree declaring an emergency in the place.
Three sectors at risk have been identified in the center of Zaruma due to illegal mining
At the same time, the plenary session of the National Assembly plans this Tuesday, January 4, to process in the first debate a draft of reforms to the Mining Law, which raises penalties for those who engage in illegal mining, and also promotes the transparency of information. , proper management of royalties resulting from mining activity, the application of pre-legislative consultation and the regulatory development of prior, free and informed consultation. (I)
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