Government announces an auction of mining areas for exploration
The Ecuadorian government is preparing an auction of mining areas totaling 431,801 hectares for exploration. This tender will take place in the coming months according to authorities, but a specific date has not yet been disclosed.
The exposure of these new areas for exploration was made yesterday at the PDAC 2015 International Mining Fair, held in Toronto, Canada. The event will run until tomorrow and Ecuador participates as sponsor and exhibitor.
Ministers Rafael Poveda and Javier Córdova presented the state and private mining areas seeking foreign investment for around USD 5000 million.
Poveda told EFE that Ecuador wants, “within the next five years,” “that mineral exports mean about USD 2000 million and the generation of about 10,000 jobs for the country.
Within the package of investment projects would be 13 mining blocks, each divided in up to three parts.
The blocks would add a total area of 431,801 hectares in Esmeraldas, Carchi, Imbabura, Santo Domingo, Napo, Cotopaxi, Bolívar, Los Ríos, Chimborazo, Canar, Morona Santiago, Azuay, El Oro, Loja and Zamora.