Ecuadorian Press links and letter TemplateEl Comercio: redaccion@elcomercio.com
El Financiero: redacciong@elfinanciero.com
El Universo: cartas@eluniverso.com
El Expreso de Guyaquil: calderonj@granasa.com.ec
Dear Editor:
I am a concerned Canadian citizen who is a stockholder in Aurelian Resources, a Canadian corporation working in Ecuador. I view my investment in Aurelian as an investment in Ecuador's mining sector, which I believe can be a driving force in the overall economic growth of the country.
Last week the Constitutional Assembly issued a new mining mandate. This mandate calls for revocation of all concessions, limiting of future concessions to three, and a stop-work order to all mining for 180 days. This new mining mandate is not only illegal but it is grossly unfair to Aurelian and other foreign mining corporations such as Corriente, Dynasty, and IAMGold. These companies have invested millions of dollars in Ecuador and currently employ over a thousand workers. Aurelian, which has not even started mining yet, alone employs over 400 people of Ecuador. These workers will now be out of work for the next six months.
These foreign mining companies are not just local employers but are active, responsible members of the local community. Aurelian, for example, in its Fruta del Norte concession, has supplemented teachers' salaries and purchased computers for schools, contributed to road and bridge construction, rehabilitated sports facilities and community centers, and developed a nursery for reforestation projects.
While thousads of concessions in Ecuador are held by speculators who have not worked the concessions and are behind in their taxes and fees, Aurelian and the other Canadian companies have legally paid for and have diligently worked their mining concessions. Revocation of concessions for leaving the land sit idle or failing to pay taxes and fees is justified; but Aurelian and the other Canadian companies should not be included with these speculators.
Much of the anti-mining sentiment in Ecuador grows out of a concern with the devastating effects certain types of mining have on the environment. All mining should consider the environmental impact of their operations, and the government is correct in enacting legislation to insure that the environment is protected. Aurelian and the other Canadian companies, however, have exemplary environmental records. Aurelian is undertaking reforestation on its concessions and is establishing its own water and electricity supply systems, which will serve the company and the surrounding communities. It should also be noted that Aurelian's mining plans call for drill-shaft, not open-pit, mining. Drill-shaft mining is minimally intrusive on the environment.
Ecuador needs foreign investment if it is to succeed in the modern world. The mining sector has a huge potential to be the driving force of economic growth in the country. It can bring in needed foreign exchange, help develop the country's infrastructure, and provide tens of thousands of needed jobs. Further, mining tends to be situated in the more remote, poorer sections of a country, and thus the benefits of mining can help alleviate the increasing wealth differentials that exist between regions and classes. This potential for economic growth, however, is placed sorely in jeopardy because of the recent mining mandate. The mandate should be rejected immediately for the benefit of all.
Sincerely,