Small-scale miners in favor of talks for new mining law - Ecuador

By Business News Americas staff reporters

Representatives from Ecuador's small-scale mining sector have expressed their support for a dialogue process organized by the country's government, the ministry of mines and oil said in a statement.

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• Companies / Entities

  Aurelian Resources Inc.

  Corriente Resources Inc.

  IAMGOLD Corporation

  International Minerals Corp.

• Keywords

  Government/Regulations

Talks are aimed at gathering proposals from the different sectors to incorporate them into the mining bill that is scheduled to be ready by the 180-day deadline set by the constituent assembly on April 18, the statement said.

Zaruma municipality's small-scale mining chamber president, Manuel López, has proposed defining the concepts of artisanal mining, subsistence mining, and small and mid-scale mining.

The mining dialogues will be held in roundtables focused on themes such as small-scale mining and environment, as well as technical, social, legal and economic issues. Talks will continue over the coming weeks in areas where mining activity takes place, the statement said.

However, mining sector employees announced this week demonstrations to protest the mandate, as it suspended mining concessions for 180 days while the new law is being drawn up.

Companies working in Ecuador include Aurelian Resources (TSX: ARU), IAMGOLD (TSX: IMG, NYSE: IAG), International Minerals (TSX: IMZ) and Corriente Resources (TSX: CTQ).