Those affected and their defense are supported by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), the National Anti-Mining Front (FNA) and the Indigenous and Peasant Movement of Cotopaxi (MICC), which monitor the process. In addition, Conaie pointed out that the testimonies issued by the defense of those affected were “crucial.”
At the hearing, evidence from the parties was presented for more than 30 hours. While the Government signed a contract for the exploitation of the Cascabel project in Imbabura.
While the Cascabel mining project advances in Imbabura with the signing of the contract for the construction of the large-scale mine, the La Plata project - in the province of Cotopaxi - remains paralyzed by the demand for protective action with precautionary measures in force to date , presented by the mayor of Sigchos, Oscar Monge.
Preceded by clashes and conflicts during the environmental consultation in Palo Quemado and Las Pampas, where entry, militarization and police presence in the area were reported, in addition to unidentified civilians armed with sticks, machetes and knives during the month of March.
On June 5, the protection action hearing for the La Plata mining project was suspended in the Sigchos Judicial Unit in the province of Cotopaxi. The hearing was held for three consecutive days, in which the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE) presented its evidence alongside those affected.
On the first day of the hearing, the defense of those affected began with witnesses. When the proceedings resumed on the second day, the plaintiff presented 15 testimonies from the alleged victims.
Those affected and their defense are supported by the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (Conaie), the National Anti-Mining Front (FNA) and the Indigenous and Peasant Movement of Cotopaxi (MICC), which monitor the process. In addition, Conaie pointed out that the testimonies issued by the defense of those affected were “crucial.”
On the last date, the Ministry of the Environment presented all the evidence relating to the environmental consultation, as did the plaintiffs. At the moment, the establishment of a new date for the continuation of the process is expected.
Previously, in the hearing on May 20, the two versions of the facts were revealed, regarding the altercations of the environmental consultation by the plaintiff (plaintiffs) and the defendants (defendants).
This hearing was held electronically from the Multicompetent Judicial Unit in the Sigchos canton, in the province of Cotopaxi. In turn, dozens of community members attended in support of the communities of Palo Quemado and Las Pampas, outside the establishment, during the three days until late at night.
While this is happening in Sigchos, on Wednesday, June 5, the Ministry of Energy and Mines signed a contract with the company SolGold for the exploitation of the Cascabel mining project, located in the province of Imbabura. In 2019, an annual production of metals in the first 25 years was estimated at around 207 thousand tons of copper, 438 thousand ounces of gold and 1.4 million ounces of silver, results that confirmed Cascabel as one of the world-class projects, rated by experts as a level 1 deposit.
