LatinNews Daily - 03 February 2026

*Ecuador’s government has suspended all mining activity in the Amazonian province of Napo and suspended operations at all mineral processing plants in the southern provinces of El Oro and Loja, with the mining and energy ministry saying that this is “in response to technical reports showing negative impacts on ecosystems and water sources, resulting from illegal activities”. A resolution from the mining and energy ministry stated that high levels of pollutants including cyanide, copper, arsenic, lead, and cadmium had been detected in rivers in El Oro and Loja, and that “the presence of illegal mining is causing environmental impacts” in Napo. The resolution states that the mining ministry and the mining regulator (Arcom), supported by the security forces, will carry out inspections, impose sanctions, and step up patrols to combat illegal mining. Mining and Energy Minister Inés Manzano said that “illegal mining is a direct threat to our rivers, our forests and the life of Amazonian communities… We won’t allow clandestine activities to continue destroying our natural heritage in the Amazon and the south of the country”.

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