Ecuador mining experts propose strategic roadmap in Guayaquil

Industry leaders, academics, and international experts gathered in Guayaquil for the ‘Ecuador, País Minero 2026’ forum to establish a strategic roadmap for the nation's mining sector. The event focused on promoting legal mining, enhancing mineral traceability, and fostering sustainable development through international cooperation.

Xavier Oyola, spokesperson for the RENACE Ecuador Project and general manager of Rock and Gold S.A., presented a proposal to formalize production and strengthen territorial intervention models. Oyola emphasized that legal mining requires coordinated efforts between the state and academia to provide technical training, which would help prevent disorganized production and ensure better wealth distribution.

The discussions also addressed the impact of illegal mining, which creates environmental liabilities and affects local communities. Experts noted that while large-scale mining is currently resilient to climate events like El Niño, alluvial mining—which extracts minerals from river sediments—is highly vulnerable to flooding. To mitigate economic shifts in other sectors, the RENACE initiative suggests using regulated temporary permits to integrate workers and machinery into the formal economy.