(Recasts, adds Correa's comments, details)

 By Alonso Soto

 QUITO, April 17 (Reuters) - Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa

said on Thursday he backs suspending large-scale mining exploration

projects while a new mining law is approved to regulate the

country's nascent industry.

 Correa, who has sought to tighten state control over Ecuador's

natural resources, said a new mining law is expected to be approved

in six months. A special assembly rewriting the constitution is

expected to pass a decree on Friday to suspend mining activity in

medium and large-scale exploration projects.

 "Some concessions where there has been investment and

exploration and that were about to enter the exploitation phase will

be suspended for 180 days until there is a new legal framework,"

Correa told foreign reporters in Quito. "And we will write new

(mining) contracts based on that legal framework."

 The constitutional assembly is working to overhaul the mining

sector, which is fueling investor concerns over whether Correa will

seek more control over mining operations as his ally, Venezuelan

President Hugo Chavez, has done with the oil sector.

 It was unclear which exploration projects would be affected or

when the suspension would begin.

 Correa said he supports large mining projects that will benefit

his poor nation with billions of dollars in revenues, but said

companies will have to comply with stricter controls.

 The 130-member assembly, controlled by Correa's Alianza Pais

party, plans to vote on the decree that will also revoke concessions

owned companies that have not invested until late 2007 or have

failed to pay their government fees.

 Ecuador lacks significant output of precious metals, but dozens

of Canadian companies such as Aurelian Resources <ARU.TO> and

Corriente Resources <CTQ.TO> are exploring for gold and copper.

 Correa also said foreign oil companies working in Ecuador had

shown interest in negotiating a switch to new deals which will make

them contractors with the government, instead of joint-venture

partners as in the past. Talks over the contracts are still

ongoing.

 (Reporting by Alonso Soto in Quito, ; Editing by Marguerita Choy)