Quito, Apr 16 (Prensa Latina) The Constituent Assembly has finished its discussion and approval of a draft mandate, cancelling little over 3,000 mining franchises in Ecuador.

The proposal has the consensus of assembly members from Acuerdo Pais, Pachakutik and Popular Democratico parties. It seeks to end permits granted to thousands of businesses lacking legal basis and community consent.

AP representative Rosana Alvarado said the proposal aims for returning to the country 98 percent of arbitrarily-granted land concessions.

She said small scale working mines which do not exceed 150 tons of extracted material will not be affected by this measure.

In case it is approved, a moratorium will be established in granting new concessions and other mining rights until the new constitutional, legal framework comes into force.

In this way, assembly members respond to a request made by President Rafael Correa in early 2008, demanding the reversal of all mining licenses granted irregularly in the country.