Ecuador

By Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

In Ecuador, Decentralized Autonomous Governments (DAGs) administer policies at the municipal level regarding stone mineral resource exploration, including mining concessions. Limited institutional capacities at the local level have represented a major constraint in improving governance of stone mining. Ecuador’s new National Mining Plan (2020–2030) underscores the need to regularize and manage activities during the mining cycle, and to involve key stakeholders.

The EGP’s work with Ecuador seeks to strengthen the skills and capacities of the DAGs in mining governance, while developing a rigorous regulatory process for granting mining concessions for aggregates and stones. Adequate mining concession policies will enable effective application of the taxes and fees administered by the DAGs, better control the monitoring of mining, and ultimately improve environmental quality along with the health and well-being of communities affected by stone and aggregate mining.

Key results

The EGP supported pilot municipalities in developing specific guidance and regulations for artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), including concerning the design, construction, operation, and monitoring of ASGM mining tailings sites.

Marco Estrella, mining technician who leads Agroindustrial El Corazón (AIC) operations. Photo credits: UNDP Ecuador.

Jorge Arevalo is a social specialist who have been working with Cooperativa Bella Rica for almost 30 years ago. Photo: UNDP Ecuador.

Progress and Achievements

In 2021, the EGP continued to support the strengthening of governance processes in the ASGM sector of Ecuador, focusing on the following activities:

ASGM governance diagnostic

Establishing an ASGM governance diagnostic in two pilot sites, based on in-depth assessment of the sector, community-based facilitators, and roundtables with multiple stakeholders. The two pilot sites were the Bella Rica Mining Cooperative in Azuay Province, and the El Corazón Agroindustrial Company in Imbabura Province. These sites were defined based on several parameters, such as conflict patterns, and history and duration of mining activities.

ASGM working groups

The EGP set up ASGM working groups and initiated dialogue with key stakeholders in the DAGs of Imbabura and Azuay, including community members and leaders, universities, NGOs, and mining associations; the Ministry of Energy and Non-Renewable Natural Resources; and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition. Surveys conducted in the pilot sites showed limited knowledge of mining regulations and the rights of the communities.

workshops about ASGM governance

The EGP organized workshops about ASGM governance for community members and leaders in the DAGs of Imbabura and Azuay, bringing together more than 40 stakeholders.

ASGM tailings sites

The EGP supported drafting regulations for the design, construction, operation and monitoring of ASGM tailings sites. This activity has been implemented in partnership with local ASGM experts, universities, and relevant government agencies. This instructive process on mining tailing sites is expected to be reviewed and approved by national authorities in 2022, with profound and long-lasting impacts on ASGM governance in Ecuador.

Mr. Jose Moncada has lived in La Lopez community of Camilo Ponce Enriquez for decades. He is concerned about the water quality of his sector. He believes that through governance processes, mining, community and a healthy environment can happen together.

Marco Estrella is a mining technician who leads Agroindustrial El Corazón (AIC) operations. Photo credits: UNDP Ecuador.

“The EGP has made an important contribution in facilitating knowledge-sharing and capacity-building on mining governance issues so that we can actively participate in governing the ASGM sector.”

EGP Partners

The EGP is implemented by UNDP Ecuador in collaboration with national and local authorities, including:

The EGP Focal Point in UNDP Ecuador is Mario Rodas (mario.rodas@undp.org).

Ecuador

A newsletter about responsible mining from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

February 11^th, 2026

February 10^th, 2026

A newsletter about responsible mining from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

October 27^th, 2025

Learn about all countries that have been a part of EGP

A newsletter about responsible mining from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

February 11th, 2026

February 10th, 2026

A newsletter about responsible mining from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)

October 27th, 2025

Learn about all countries that have been a part of EGP

February 11^th, 2026

February 10^th, 2026

October 27^th, 2025