RE: July is the date (this time, they're serious :Thanks for posting the link. Here is the translation.
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=https://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/en-julio-se-concretaran-contratos-mineros-a-gran-escala-en-el-pais-479724.html&ei=T8vwTcuvIq2s0AH3m_GSBA&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCYQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dhttps://www.hoy.com.ec/noticias-ecuador/en-julio-se-concretaran-contratos-mineros-a-gran-escala-en-el-pais-479724.html%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:*%26prmd%3Divns
In July materialize large-scale mining contracts in the country
Posted 09/Junio/2011 | 00:13
The negotiations with two of the companies responsible for strategic projects to large-scale mining are advanced. Is expected to be signed next month contracts
The Ministry of Non-Renewable Natural Resources (MRNNR) expected to close in July at least two of the five strategic projects for large-scale mining, which are currently under exploration.
Of the contracts had expected an investment of $ 3 500 million over the next two years by the ECSA-Ecuacorriente companies, I Am Kinross Gold and Aurelian involved in the negotiations.
Pastor Wilson Minister in past statements, said the country's potential to produce $ 200 billion in the mining sector at national level.
Negotiations began in 2010 and the target, according to the Government, is to implement a mining industry in Ecuador.
Companies that are close to signing the contract are: ECSA with Zamora Chinchipe Mirador project with an investment of $ 846 million and the Rio Blanco project by IMC in Azuay province with an estimated investment of $ 127 million.
According to the Chamber of Mines of Ecuador, Ecuador last year 18 tons of gold extracted, which represented about $ 720 million for the country.
In Ecuador, the most commonly extracted minerals are gold, lead and zinc. According MRNNR have registered significant reserves of 3.92 million ounces in gold reserves, 72.4 million in silver reserves and 8.1 billion in copper.