Govt, provinces ink agreement to regulate mining - Ecuador
Published: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 17:57 (GMT -0400)
 
Ecuador's mines and energy ministry has signed an inter-institutional agreement with the government of El Oro province to promote cooperation and help coordinate, plan and control mining activity in the southern province.

The consensus affects the Portovelo and Zaruma districts, the ministry said in a statement.

The agreement establishes that the ministry will set aside a mining
 exclusion zone in Portovelo district and broaden the exclusion zone in Zaruma while also suspending activity at mining concessions that have not complied with environmental management and closure plans, the statement said.

The El Oro government and communities in the area have agreed to present a list of complaints to the ministry detailing environmental damages brought about by mining activity, the report said.

The agreement is valid for two years with the option to renew for a shorter or equal period of time.

By Business News Americas staff reporters