In order to improve the granting concessions system to regulate the exploitation of aggregates and stones materials, the Decentralized Autonomous Governments (DAGs) of the Municipalities of Playas and Otavalo in Ecuador received technical assistance from the Environmental Governance Programme (EGP), an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), financed by Sweden’s International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).
A proposed regulation will be delivered to the sector´s responsible bodies; after prior analysis by the authorities, it may serve as input for reforms applicable at the national level. Such reforms will help to efficiently apply fees and taxes according to the granted permits; improve control and monitoring of activities; reduce the environmental impacts of the sector; promote the responsible and efficient use of natural resources; and improve the living conditions of nearby populations.
So far, the procedures for granting concessions have been analyzed in both DAGs. Also, training activities have been carried out to strengthen capacities on environmental, legal, mining, and social topics.
Aggregates and stones are construction materials that are extracted from riverbeds, lakes, seashores, mines, and quarries. Proper management of their mining is required to mitigate damage to human health and the environment.
Since 2009, the mining of aggregates and stones in Ecuador is the responsibility of the DAGs.
To date, only 20 percent of the DAGs have issued regulations for the granting of mining rights. There are no clear guidelines that articulate implementation and maintenance of the environmental and social policies established at the national level; this lack limits the development of corresponding control processes for this type of mining.
In this context, UNDP supports the development of sustainable environmental and social management of aggregates and stone mining.
© 2026 Environmental Governance Programme (EGP)
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