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Ecuador court case on illegal mining in Esmeraldas province

Ecuador
National
Approved in 2011
Case
Rights Of Nature
Nature
All Nature
The Ministry of the Interior
Government

Summary

The Ministry of the Interior presented precautionary measures for illegal mining activities, including the exploitation of gold, in the San Lorenzo and Eloy Alfaro cantons of the Esmeraldas province, which is home to areas with vegetation cover and the destruction of tropical forests. The Ministry of the Interior argued that such mining activities produce severe pollution and harm the surrounding natural environment, which is a food source for local peoples. Precautionary measures were granted, and the court ordered the Armed Forces and National Police to carry out operations to control their illegal mining activities. The order included the destruction of all tools, including a backhoe, a tractor, a dump truck, and explosives, used in the illegal mining activities that pose a danger to the rights of nature.

Legal Document

To see the original legal document(s) for this initiative, click the links below:

Ecuadorian Ministry of Interior Request for Protective Action and Court Response [PDF]

Additional Resources

To see other supplementary information related to this initiative, click the links below:

Case Summary

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