Cerro Azul Order Tests Ecuador Mining Cadastre Reopening After Eight-Year Freeze

Ecuador's long-delayed mining cadastre reopening has a new test case in Cerro Azul, the protected dry-forest area northwest of Guayaquil.

Primicias reports that an agreement published in the Registro Oficial on May 20, 2026 orders the Agencia de Regulacion y Control Minero (Arcom) to issue the administrative act for a gradual and progressive opening of the national mining cadastre.

The initial scope is for new exploitation concessions in small-scale mining of aggregates and stone materials in the corridor covering Guayaquil, Daule and Samborondon.

Policy Structure

Primicias reports that the agreement also states that the granting of authorizations or exploitation concessions for construction aggregates and stone materials will be limited in Cerro Azul.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy said the regulation seeks to prevent risks and reduce Cerro Azul's vulnerability, while also referring to an opening of the cadastre and concession-granting under the small-mining regime.

Investment Signal

Primicias reports that Ecuador has repeatedly promised to reopen the cadastre since it was closed in 2018, and that the mining industry considers reopening crucial for attracting billions of dollars in foreign investment.

David Larenas, president of the board of the Camara de Mineria del Ecuador, told Primicias that the delay shows the government has not found the correct transparency and governance mechanism.

He also said the mining-control fee and high conservation-patent costs would limit investor interest if the cadastre reopens under current conditions.

What To Watch

• Arcom's administrative act and any operational timetable for the Guayaquil-Daule-Samborondon corridor.
• Whether Cerro Azul's existing concessions are adjusted to maximum exploitation elevation criteria, seismic safety and hydrogeological protection.
• Whether the broader mining cadastre remains limited to small non-metallic mining or becomes a staged reopening for metallic, medium and large mining.
• Industry response to the mining-control fee and conservation-patent cost structure.

Source: Primicias