Mining attracts research

Ecuadornews:

Nearly 90% of Ecuador’s territory has not yet been studied to identify human beings, said Byron Granda, director of the National Institute of Metallurgical Mining Geological Research (Inigemm).

Granda is part of the delegation of Ecuador, chaired by the Minister of Mining, Rebeca Illescas, who participates in the International Convention of the Trade Fair and Exchange of Investors (PDAC), the world trade fair for mining and exploration that initiated the Sunday in Toronto, Canada.

Granda said that EFE has great potential for mining development and stressed that so far gold and copper are the main mineral resources that attract large mining companies.

Ecuador has developed in recent years a thriving industry around this sector

“Geology is the basis for most of the industries that have been developed in production, one of which is the mining company and, previously, the oil company,” Granda said.

One of his most recent contributions is the publication of the first mining cartography of the country, scale 1: 1,000,000, developed 100% by Ecuadorian specialists, which means the first edition in 23 years.

“Ours is basic information, it is not advanced information, however, the guidelines for companies to determine if there is potential, for example, copper, gold or molybdenum,” said Granda.

The institute’s research work focused this year on the Cordillera Real or Central, “where our knowledge is still small,” acknowledged the director of Inigemm.

It contrasts with areas such as the northern part of the western mountain range or the Subandean Zone of Ecuador, where important copper deposits related to porphyries containing gold are located. “We also have evidence of mining that is developed on a small scale and artisanal in the south, which is relevant,” Granda recalled. (I)

Source: https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/economia/4/la-mineria-atrae-investigaciones