Weekly Report - 17 February 2022 (WR-22-07)

Ecuador’s mining exports totalled US$2.092bn in 2021, surpassing the government’s target by 31%, according to a statement released by the ministry of energy and non-renewable natural resources on 16 February. The goal set by the government led by President Guillermo Lasso of almost doubling mining exports by 2025 will bring it into conflict with the indigenous movement which opposes the industry on environmental grounds. The Lasso administration defends the benefits of large-scale mining, however, contending that the real threat to the environment is posed by illegal mining, against which it launched a major security operation on 12 February in the Amazonian province of Napo.

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