On June 17th, Ecuador officially reopened its mining concessions registry for the first time since January 2018, aiming to attract fresh investment, streamline permitting, and combat illegal mining. The registry had been suspended due to systemic irregularities, halting new license issuance for seven years.
Energy and Mines Minister Inés Manzano announced that new applications will be accepted gradually, starting in Q3 2025 with small-scale non-metallic mining, followed by small-scale metallic mining in September. The registry will fully reopen to all mining categories in early 2026. Applicants must prove at least two years of mining experience. State-owned Enami will retain priority application rights.
The move has drawn criticism from Indigenous and environmental groups, but the government insists it is necessary to restore lawful resource development and curb illegal operations. Ecuador, rich in copper, gold, and silver, has lagged behind regional peers due to legal and social hurdles.
Illegal mining now spans 19 of 24 provinces, often tied to organized crime. The reopening is part of broader reforms, including potential new mining fees projected to generate $229 million annually. Major upcoming projects include CMOC’s Cangrejos, SolGold’s Cascabel, Solaris’ Warintza, and the expansion of Mirador Norte.
