Dundee’s gold project in Ecuador wins local backing

Published: 2025-05-20 10:55 Author: Cecilia Jamasmie

Source: MINING.COM (Original Article)

AI Analysis & Insights

Dundee's Loma Larga Gold Project Gains Community Support in Ecuador

Summary: Dundee Precious Metals has advanced its Loma Larga gold project in Ecuador, achieving community backing through a government-led consultation process. The project, which awaits an environmental license, promises significant investment and job creation, marking a milestone in Ecuador's mining sector.

Introduction

Canada-based Dundee Precious Metals (TSX: DPM) has made significant progress with its Loma Larga gold project in Ecuador. Following a government-mandated consultation, the project has secured local community support, bringing it closer to development. This step is crucial as the company now awaits an environmental license to commence construction, potentially by the end of the year.

Main Body

The consultation process, described as a historic milestone by María Eulalia Silva, executive president of Ecuador’s Mining Chamber, adhered to the International Labour Organization’s Convention 169. This framework ensures that indigenous communities are informed about the project's benefits and risks, enabling them to make decisions through a free, prior, and informed consultation. Silva highlighted that this is the first time such a process has been conducted in Ecuador, setting a precedent for future mining projects.

Located in the southern Andean province of Azuay near Cuenca, Loma Larga is projected to be a significant economic driver. With an expected investment of $400-500 million, the underground gold mine could create around 1,500 direct jobs, primarily for locals. The mine is anticipated to produce 200,000 ounces of gold annually for the first five years, followed by 170,000 ounces per year for the subsequent seven years. Additionally, the project includes copper and silver reserves, a processing plant, and a tailings facility.

Ecuador’s mining sector is on the rise, with 2023 exports reaching a record $3.3 billion, making it the country’s third-largest export sector. Loma Larga is among six major mining projects poised for development, alongside initiatives like SoldGold’s Cascabel and Solaris Resources’ Warintza. This growth underscores the sector's critical role in attracting investment and boosting the national economy.

However, questions remain about the environmental and social implications of such large-scale projects. While community support is a positive step, how will Dundee ensure sustainable practices to mitigate ecological damage in the sensitive Andean region? Furthermore, with global scrutiny on mining’s environmental footprint, can Ecuador balance economic gains with its commitments to conservation and indigenous rights? These are pressing issues amid the global push for responsible resource extraction.

Conclusion:

The Loma Larga project represents a pivotal moment for Ecuador’s mining industry, promising economic benefits and job creation while setting a benchmark for community engagement. As Dundee Precious Metals moves toward obtaining the environmental license, the focus must remain on sustainable development and addressing environmental concerns. This project could serve as a model for balancing economic progress with social and ecological responsibility, provided the challenges are met with transparency and accountability.

邓迪公司在厄瓜多尔的洛马拉加金矿项目获得社区支持

摘要: 加拿大邓迪贵金属公司（TSX: DPM）在厄瓜多尔的洛马拉加金矿项目取得进展，通过政府主导的咨询过程获得当地社区支持。该项目正等待环境许可证，有望带来重大投资和就业机会，成为厄瓜多尔矿业发展的里程碑。

引言

加拿大邓迪贵金属公司（TSX: DPM）在厄瓜多尔的洛马拉加金矿项目取得了重要进展。在政府主导的咨询过程后，该项目获得了当地社区的支持，距离开发又近了一步。目前，公司正等待环境许可证的批准，建设工作可能在今年年底前启动。

主体

厄瓜多尔矿业商会执行主席玛丽亚·尤拉莉亚·席尔瓦将此次咨询过程称为历史性里程碑。该过程遵循了国际劳工组织第169号公约，确保土著社区能够了解项目的利弊，并通过自由、事先和知情的咨询作出决定。席尔瓦指出，这是厄瓜多尔首次进行此类咨询，为未来的矿业项目树立了先例。

洛马拉加项目位于厄瓜多尔南部安第斯山省阿苏艾，靠近昆卡，预计将成为重要的经济驱动力。该地下金矿预计将吸引4亿至5亿美元的投资，并创造约1500个直接就业岗位，其中大部分将惠及当地居民。矿山预计在前五年每年生产20万盎司黄金，随后七年每年生产17万盎司。此外，该项目还包括铜和银资源，以及加工厂和尾矿设施。

厄瓜多尔的矿业部门正在迅速发展，2023年出口额创下33亿美元的纪录，成为该国第三大出口行业。洛马拉加是即将开发或投产的六个主要矿业项目之一，其他项目包括SoldGold的Cascabel和Solaris Resources的Warintza。这一增长凸显了该行业在吸引投资和推动国家经济方面的重要作用。

然而，大型项目对环境和社会的影响仍令人担忧。尽管社区支持是一个积极的步骤，但邓迪公司将如何确保可持续实践，以减少对安第斯敏感地区的生态破坏？此外，在全球对矿业环境影响的关注下，厄瓜多尔能否在经济增长与环境保护及土著权利承诺之间找到平衡？这些是全球推动负责任资源开采背景下亟待解决的问题。

结论:

洛马拉加项目标志着厄瓜多尔矿业发展的关键时刻，承诺带来经济效益和就业机会，同时为社区参与设定了标杆。随着邓迪贵金属公司推进环境许可证的获取，重点必须放在可持续发展及解决环境问题上。如果能以透明和负责任的方式应对挑战，该项目可能成为平衡经济进步与社会及生态责任的典范。