Canada-Ecuador FTA Reframes Mining Pipeline As Catastro Remains Closed
Development
Ecuador signed a free-trade agreement with Canada on July 24, 2026, reopening attention on Canadian mining investment in Ecuador.
The immediate business signal is positive but incomplete. Industry voices cited by Primicias said the agreement can improve predictability, transparency, investment protection, and dispute rules, while Ecuador retains authority over environmental licenses, controls, and sanctions.
The regulatory constraint remains the mining cadastre. Ecuador's cadastre, the database used to register and administer mining concessions, has been closed for new concessions since January 2018. In March 2026, the government again promised reopening during PDAC in Toronto, but the roadmap has not been fulfilled.
Fiscal setting
The mining inspection fee remains another pressure point.
The government launched the fee on June 20, 2025 and initially expected to collect up to USD 220 million per year. On June 26, 2026, the government changed the rule to exempt companies in exploration from paying the fee, reducing expected annual collection to USD 44 million.
The Camara de Mineria del Ecuador still says the levy remains for concessions in production and processing plants, affecting competitiveness.
Canadian-linked project map
| Project | Province / area | Company context | Key data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fruta del Norte | Zamora Chinchipe | Lundin Gold acquired the project in 2014 after Kinross exited Ecuador | Revenue reached USD 1.745 billion in 2025 |
| El Domo | Bolivar | Silvercorp Metals operates the polymetallic project | Construction cost updated to USD 284 million, USD 44 million above the 2025 estimate; production projected for July 2027 |
| La Plata | Cotopaxi | Atico Mining owns the copper-focused project | Environmental license granted in February 2026; initial investment USD 91 million, total capital cost including VAT USD 138 million |
| Warintza | Morona Santiago | Solaris Resources operates through Lowell Mineral Exploration | Construction expected in 2027 and operations in 2030; up to 5,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs projected |
| Loma Larga | Azuay | Dundee Precious Metals bought 100% of the shares in 2021 | Estimated investment about USD 419 million, 12-year mine life, 926,000 ounces of gold reserves |
| Ruta del Cobre | Azuay | Tier One Silver signed a June 2026 letter of intent for 70% participation | Transaction value USD 39.4 million; project remains stalled by community rejection and regulatory obstacles |
What to watch
- Whether Ecuador reopens the mining cadastre after the Canada FTA signal
- Whether the inspection-fee adjustment restores exploration appetite
- Whether El Domo reaches its revised July 2027 production target
- Whether stalled Azuay projects see any legal or community-consultation movement
- Whether Canada-linked capital flows re-enter Ecuador exploration rather than only existing assets
Source: Primicias.
Source
Primicias — “Cinco mineras de Canada estan a cargo de proyectos clave en Ecuador; el nuevo acuerdo comercial busca que lleguen mas empresas”
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