Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
ENAMI Plans 2026 International Tender for $3 Billion Llurimagua Copper-Molybdenum Project After Codelco Exit
State mining company ENAMI EP plans to launch an international tender in 2026 for the Llurimagua copper-molybdenum project, valued at $3 billion, after Chile's Codelco exited the 51/49 joint venture. The Imbabura province deposit holds a 982-million-tonne resource base with projected output of 210,000 tonnes of copper per annum over a 27-year mine life -- potentially one of Ecuador's largest-ever mining investments at a time of surging global demand for the electrification metal.
Decree 273 Reshapes Ecuador's Mining Investment Calculus: New 3-8% Royalty Scale, 100% Self-Power Mandate, and Tightened Exploration Timelines Take Effect
Executive Decree 273, signed by President Noboa on December 31 and effective January 1, 2026, introduced the most significant changes to Ecuador's mining regulatory framework in over a decade. The decree establishes a 3-8% sliding royalty scale based on commodity prices, mandates that all mining projects supply 100% of their electricity needs, and tightens exploration timelines -- reshaping the cost structure for an $8 billion+ investment pipeline.
Ecuador Reopens Mining Concession Registry After Seven-Year Freeze, Targets $4B in Annual Mining Exports
Ecuador officially reopened its mining concession registry, frozen since January 2018, in a phased process that will culminate with full metallic concession availability by early 2026. Mining exports exceeded $3 billion last year and could reach $4 billion as six large and medium-scale projects -- including CMOC's Cangrejos and SolGold's Cascabel -- prepare to begin construction over the next four years.
Ecuador Halts All Mining in Napo Province, Restricts Operations in El Oro and Loja Over Toxic Contamination
Ecuador's Ministry of Environment suspended all mining activity in Napo province and restricted ore processing in El Oro and Loja effective February 2, citing dangerous concentrations of heavy metals and cyanide in the Calera, Amarillo, and Napo rivers. Officials warn environmental restoration will take "many years."
CONAIE Mobilises Against Noboa's Urgent Mining Reform Bill, Warns of 'Devastating' Environmental Rollback
Ecuador's largest indigenous federation CONAIE raised a formal alarm on February 4 against President Noboa's mining reform bill, submitted January 28 as an "urgent economic matter" with a 30-day legislative deadline. The government aims to boost mining exports from $3.6B to $6.8B by 2036, but CONAIE warns the bill guts environmental safeguards for paramos, forests, and water sources.
Cascabel Copper-Gold Project Advances to Pre-Feasibility as SolGold Secures $180mn Tranche
SolGold's Cascabel copper-gold project in northern Ecuador has advanced to the pre-feasibility stage, supported by a freshly secured $180 million financing tranche and an updated mineral resource estimate that confirms it as one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits globally.