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History, Current Situation and Challenges of Gold Mining in Ecuador’s Litoral Region

Author

Listed:
  • Carlos Mestanza-Ramón

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy
    Research Group YASUNI-SDC, Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 220001, Ecuador)

  • Selene Paz-Mena

    (Green Amazon, Research Center, Nueva Loja 210150, Ecuador)

  • Carlos López-Paredes

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 220001, Ecuador)

  • Mirian Jimenez-Gutierrez

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 220001, Ecuador)

  • Greys Herrera-Morales

    (Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, Sede Orellana, El Coca 220001, Ecuador)

  • Giovanni D’Orio

    (Department of Economics, Statistics and Finance, University of Calabria, Arcavacata, 87036 Rende, Italy)

  • Salvatore Straface

    (Department of Environmental Engineering, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy)

Abstract

Gold mining in Ecuador has been present in the country since Inca times; over the years interest in the mineral has increased, leading to the creation of legislation to control the mining sector in a safe manner. The Litoral region consists of seven provinces, six of which have registered gold concessions; the most affected provinces are El Oro and Esmeraldas. The objective of this study was to analyze the historical and current situation of artisanal and industrial gold mining in the Litoral region of Ecuador. Different methodologies were used for the elaboration of this study, including bibliographic review, grey literature, field interviews and a validation of expert judgment. The main results indicate that El Oro and Esmeraldas are essentially the most conflictive areas in the region, as they have sometimes had to establish precautionary measures due to the risks caused by illegal mining. In addition, in both areas there is a great socioeconomic impact ranging from lack of opportunities, forgetfulness, migration, emigration, and violation of rights, among others. With respect to environmental impacts, the study highlights the contamination of water sources (which leads to a lack of drinking water for people), and damage to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Finally, the study concludes that the authorities should control the mining sector more by implementing more laws and carrying out inspections to put an end to illegal gold mining, in order to improve the situation in the areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Selene Paz-Mena & Carlos López-Paredes & Mirian Jimenez-Gutierrez & Greys Herrera-Morales & Giovanni D’Orio & Salvatore Straface, 2021. "History, Current Situation and Challenges of Gold Mining in Ecuador’s Litoral Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:11:p:1220-:d:676419
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Henry Manuel Correa Guaicha & Laura Elizabeth Alvarado Correa, 2017. "Impactos ambientales en la explotación minera aurífera y al ser humano. Caso de estudio," Desarrollo local sostenible, Servicios Académicos Intercontinentales SL. Hasta 31/12/2022, issue 29, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fikru, Mahelet G. & Avila-Santamaria, Jorge J. & Soria, Rafael & Logan, Annaleese & Romero, Pedro P., 2024. "Evaluating ESG risk ratings of mining companies: What are lessons for Ecuador's developing mining sector?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    2. Darío Bolaños-Guerrón & Iván Galarza & Erika Llumiquinga & Theofilos Toulkeridis & Luis Cumbal, 2023. "Design and Construction of a Prototype for Arsenic Retention in Mining-Contaminated Waters by Application of Nanoparticles-Based Technosols," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-17, January.
    3. Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Demmy Mora-Silva & Giovanni D’Orio & Enrique Tapia-Segarra & Isabel Dominguez Gaibor & José Fernando Esparza Parra & Carlos Renato Chávez Velásquez & Salvatore Straface, 2022. "Artisanal and Small-Scale Gold Mining (ASGM): Management and Socioenvironmental Impacts in the Northern Amazon of Ecuador," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Carlos Mestanza-Ramón & Robinson Ordoñez-Alcivar & Carla Arguello-Guadalupe & Katherin Carrera-Silva & Giovanni D’Orio & Salvatore Straface, 2022. "History, Socioeconomic Problems and Environmental Impacts of Gold Mining in the Andean Region of Ecuador," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-21, January.

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