More than 90,000 people marched through the streets of Cuenca, the capital of Ecuador’s central Azuay province, on Tuesday to demand the suspension of a gold mining project by Canada’s Dundee Precious Metals, which they say threatens a crucial water source.
The project, known as Loma Larga, was granted an environmental license earlier this year by President Daniel Noboa’s government. But mounting community pressure led the energy ministry in August to halt construction until Dundee presents a new environmental management plan.
Protesters, led by local officials, say the mine endangers the 3,200-hectare Quimsacocha reserve and the surrounding paramos, high-altitude wetlands that supply most of the region’s drinking water.
Demonstrators chanted “Hands off Quimsacocha!” and “Water is worth more than anything!” as they filled Cuenca’s streets.
“We want the national government to revoke the environmental license,” Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora said. “The streets of Cuenca are roaring, and they will have to listen to us.”
Dundee Precious Metals declined to comment on the protests.
Despite Ecuador’s rich gold and copper reserves, only two large mines currently operate in the country, one run by Canada’s Lundin Gold and another by Chinese consortium EcuaCorriente. Community opposition, environmental concerns, and legal uncertainty have slowed mining expansion nationwide.
President Noboa has distanced himself from the project, saying responsibility lies with local authorities. “There is a very high probability the project will not go ahead, but there is also a probability of problems in the future,” he said in a recent radio interview.
In Azuay, residents have repeatedly rejected mining at the ballot box, and courts have sided with communities seeking to protect water resources.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
