The four phases of the remediation plan in the sinkhole sector that occurred on December 15 in the center of Zaruma, El Oro province, will take at least nine months and will cost approximately $ 3.5 million, according to the Vice Minister of Mines, Xavier Vera, who explained the work that began at ground zero.
“There are the studies and designs for the stabilization of the sinkhole; the person in charge is the Army Corps of Engineers, with the validation of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works, “said the vice minister, who explained each of the phases, which include works on the surface and in the subsoil of the sector affected by mining illegal.
Vera reported that this Wednesday eight houses were raided, where several mine openings were detected: “Seven of them had mine openings; one of them is located in the coliseum, which is a municipal asset ”.
In a house that was demolished from ground zero, a 1.20-meter entrance was discovered, which reveals that there was high mining activity near the center of Zaruma.
The president of Ecuador, Guillermo Lasso, virtually presided over the evaluation meeting on the validity of the state of exception that governs Zaruma, where he announced that by decree the delivery will be made – from Monday, January 10 – of a contingency bonus for $ 252 to people affected by the sinkhole.
Lasso anticipated that his government will provide the necessary resources for remediation work and the prevention of new disasters in Zaruma.
Since the state of emergency came into force to date, four people have been arrested for the alleged crime of illegal mining; Two vehicles, a motorcycle and 20 detonating capsules were seized. There are two open investigations and 37 closures of activities related to mining.
The Minister of Government, Alexandra Vela, revealed that in Zaruma there are 94 registered concessions: 69 of them have not yet started a process of environmental regularization, 16 are in the process of environmental regularization, 4 are recorded as registries and only 3 have licenses.
President Lasso ordered the mayor of Zaruma, Jhansy López, to delimit the urban territory to avoid legal or illegal mining activities: “It is a problem that has been going on for more than 60 years. I think it has been clear when assuming his commitment, that he has not taken it for six years, which is to delimit the urban territory of Zaruma, where mining will not be possible … It is unfortunate that he has not done it before ”.
“The Government is going to provide the resources. Mr. Mayor, I demand greater responsibility for citizens, your work leaves much to be desired, you had to demand the support of the Government at the time … I join the Zarumeño people who demand a job from the mayor, “added the president, who announced a new virtual evaluation for next January 20.
Lasso’s statement came after the mayor of Zaruma criticized that “so far there has not been a dollar due to the state of emergency.”
More than 150 soldiers arrived in Zaruma the day after the land subsidence began, which forced the evacuation of some 300 people due to the collapse of at least four houses. A total of 49 homes are at risk in the sinking zone.
The sector of Colón, November 29 and Alberto Castro streets has been guarded by the military since then, after the state of emergency decreed by President Guillermo Lasso, who ordered that studies be carried out to solve the problems that afflict the population of Orense. The Government plans the placement of concrete plugs in the tunnels and galleries in Zaruma.
Meanwhile, the owners of the buildings in the center of Zaruma, who are waiting for a proper valuation, point out that illegal mining has not stopped, even after the sinkhole of December 15 last.
The Minister of Culture and Heritage, María Elena Machuca, held a meeting with the owners of three heritage houses that collapsed in the recent sinkhole and said that it is intended to protect these heritage assets through a comprehensive remediation plan that will be presented in the next few hours by the national government.
“There are 49 homes that are at risk in the vicinity of the sinkhole,” added the official, and said that it is intended to protect these heritage assets through a comprehensive remediation plan that will be presented in the next few hours by the national government. (I)
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