A moratorium on mining concession is requested in Ecuador

Image: El Universo

Social and political groups like Ecuarunari, Conaie, Ecological Action, requested yesterday for a moratorium on new mining concessions. They did this through a sit-in outside the Ministry of Mining. Chants, placards, shouts and music accompanied their protest.

They delivered a letter which ensures that the opening of the Mining Cadastre “gives open letter” to intervene across the country: protected areas, water sources, forests, moors, indigenous territories or areas of peasant production.

Since last May 23, the process of granting mining concessions with the official opening of this cadastre began, the ministry said.

For Mining Minister Javier Cordova, a mining moratorium is unfeasible because it is unnecessary: “We already have a 9-year moratorium on the delivery of concessions and now they come and request an additional 10 years, for what? (…), Electoral times are coming and many will try to be candidates (…) do you think we are so illogocal people to put water at risk to develop a mining project? we all need that vital resource, we would definitely not.”

200 concession requests have been received. This would begin in late July or early August.

Source: http://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/2016/06/15/nota/5636721/se-pide-moratoria-concesion-minera