Vilcabamba 2026: The Decline of the Valley?
Andean Landscape of Ecuador
Special Report 2026

Vilcabamba:
Mining or Life?

By 2026, the "Valley of Longevity" faces a historic crossroads: the existential choice between its reputation as a nature and wellness destination, and the reality of industrial mining.

Explore the Crossroads
2011
First global ruling on the Rights of Nature (Vilcabamba River)
46
Mining concessions suspended in Loja (Feb. 2026)
4
Connected river basins (Fierro Urco → Vilcabamba)
360K
People depend on the Catamayo-Chira basin

The Great Fork

Vilcabamba has no middle ground. Today, two diametrically opposed visions of the future coexist over the same territory. Only one will prevail.

the sacred valley

The vision that has made Vilcabamba famous since the 1970s. An economy based on nature tourism, bioregeneration and the strength of having pioneering jurisprudence on the Rights of Nature.

  • Natural Mineral Water

    The most valuable asset of the "Sacred Valley." The Vilcabamba River was the first natural entity in the world to receive a ruling in favor of its rights (2011 Ruling), and it is fundamental to local life.

  • Nature and Wellness Tourism and a destination in the pursuit of longevity

    A sustainable industry that attracts thousands of international visitors. A global brand that no mining company can replace.

  • Food Sovereignty

    Organic agriculture and permaculture that supplies Loja and the south of the country.

The Mining District

The reality imposed by the geopolitics of 2026. A sacrifice zone for the global market, accelerated by the Ecuador-US agreement on strategic minerals.

  • Fast Currency + Social Division

    Mining to cover fiscal deficits. Mining companies divide communities by offering temporary jobs, as happened in Zamora.

  • Underground Mining

    Use of explosives that fracture geological faults and irreversibly destroy underground aquifers.

  • The Mirror of Zaruma

    Sinking of the city center and water sources due to heavy metals. That is the future that the extractive model brings.

Strategic Context 2024-2026

The Critical Minerals "Fever"

Ecuador is experiencing an unprecedented acceleration in its mining development under the current administration. What were once projects on paper are now infrastructure under construction.

In February 2026, the country signed a strategic agreement with the United States for the secure supply of rare earth elements and minerals essential for the global energy transition. The signing of this agreement aligns with the global geopolitical trend of considering critical minerals as strategic assets for energy security, a context that has historically led to accelerated administrative procedures and a relaxation of environmental regulations in sensitive areas such as the southeastern Andes.

Following the signing of the contract in 2025 Cangrejos Project (El Oro, $1,300M, operated by CMOC), the consolidation of La Plata (Cotopaxi), Curipamba (Bolívar) and Cascabel (Imbabura) This generates an extractive "centrifugal force." This inertia displaces illegal miners and satellite companies toward ecosystems with high water sensitivity in Loja, increasing pressure on strategic concessions such as The Swan 2 and Caña Brava. This phenomenon directly threatens the ecological stability of Vilcabamba, an area where water recharge zones must be protected. Protecting these areas is vital to guaranteeing water quality and the natural balance of the entire Loja Valley.

Specialized media outlets and environmental organizations have highlighted the need for greater transparency in licensing processes, given public debates about possible links between business interests and the extractive sector. None of these allegations have reached a final judicial resolution, but they have strengthened public demand for independent oversight of the Ministry of Environment's decisions.

«"The imperative to attract foreign currency has clashed head-on with the conservation of a unique ecosystem in the world."»
1

The Vilcabamba River: Nature First with Rights

2011 — The Victory Judgment No. 010-2011: first worldwide ruling applying Rights of Nature. The river has the right to regeneration and maintenance of its life cycles.
2018 — State Noncompliance The Constitutional Court closes the case (Case 0032-12-IS), considering the state actions "sufficient" despite the fact that comprehensive reparation measures The measures ordered in 2011 were never fully implemented. The ecological restoration of the river remained incomplete.
Dec. 2022 — Quinara Dismissed The legal action filed by the Quinara community against mining concessions was dismissed by the judicial system.
2015-2026 — Criminalization Human rights organizations and regional media have reported more than 200 people linked to legal proceedings in areas such as Fierro Urco, Gualel and the Loja canton under classifications such as paralysis of public services and sabotage (source: human rights organizations and regional media).
Vilcabamba River - The First Nature with Rights in the World

Vilcabamba River, the world's first subject of rights for nature (2011)

Red Zone: Podocarpus National Park

Vilcabamba's water security depends on Podocarpus National Park, which is now being infiltrated. Satellite reports (MAAP #221, Oct. 2024) confirm an alarming escalation: 50 hectares affected In the Loyola River alone, an increase of 125% between 2023 and 2024. According to 2022 monitoring, 222 illegal camps were operating. Reports from human rights organizations and regional media document the presence of irregular armed groups in mining areas of the southern Amazon (Mongabay Latam, March 2024).

Critical Water Connection: Catamayo-Chira System

From the moor Iron Urco (3,788 meters above sea level), known as the "Water Star of the South," is the source of four main river basins that supply water to the southern region of Ecuador. Guayabal River (which originates in Fierro Urco) and the Vilcabamba River They are both tributaries of the Catamayo River, forming part of the same binational hydrographic system.

→ Hydrological conclusion: Mining at any point in this basin system compromises the regional water security of Vilcabamba in three documented ways: (to) contamination of shared groundwater, (b) alteration of the páramo microclimate that regulates the water cycle, and (c) Sedimentation of the river network. The Catamayo-Chira basin is binational (Ecuador-Peru) and supplies water to more than 360,000 people.

Documented Impact on Podocarpus

0 Illegal camps (2022)
0 Hectares destroyed (2024)
0 % Percentage Increase 2023-2024

Infiltrated areas: Dos Camas, San Luis, and Río Loyola. Use of underground mining with explosives that fractures underground aquifers.

And what about helicopters?

Citizen reports (Feb. 2026)

Residents of Vilcabamba and Quinara have reported an unusual presence of helicopters carrying unidentified technical equipment in recent weeks, in an area where air traffic has historically been infrequent. As of the date of publication, local authorities have not issued any official statements regarding the nature of these overflights. The community is demanding transparency regarding any prospecting or monitoring activities in the area.

Right to information: The community can request the flight plan and objectives of the aerial monitoring by invoking the LOTAIP.

Helicopter with geophysical prospecting sensor flying over the Vilcabamba-Quinara area
OVERFLIGHT REPORTED JANUARY 2026

Analysis of the observed equipment:

The elongated, stinger-type sensor seen in the image is standard geophysical prospecting equipment. According to industry literature, these systems can be: (to) high-resolution magnetometers for detecting metallic minerals, or (b) Electromagnetic sensors (VLF/EM) to map ground conductivity and locate mineral deposits or deep aquifers.

Citizen recommendation:

Record GPS coordinates, dates, and times of sightings for documentation in an independent citizen monitoring file. Request public information from ARCOM regarding flight authorizations and prospecting objectives in the area.

Government Action (Feb. 2026)

The Ministry of Environment and Energy suspended 46 of the 100 active mining concessions in the province of Loja through Resolution MAE-MAE-2026-0005-RM. Control operations, supported by the Armed Forces, are ongoing with the stated goal of eliminating 100% of irregular concessions.

Geopolitical Framework 2026

On February 4, 2026, Ecuador signed a bilateral framework agreement with the United States to secure supplies of critical minerals and rare earth elements. According to statements from the U.S. State Department, the objective is to "identify strategic projects" for copper, lithium, and rare earth elements in the Andean region. The Ecuadorian government was invited to a summit in Miami on March 7, 2026 (source: AFP/Primicias).

Environmental Impact

Acid Mine Drainage (AMD)

The invisible risk that threatens to turn water into a contaminated resource. A chemical reaction of very difficult to reverse according to international technical models.

1

The Reaction

By excavating tunnels in Quinara and Podocarpus, the sulfides The rocks come into contact with the air and the high rainfall of the Andes.

This contact initiates a chemical reaction known as sulfide oxidation, which releases sulfur ions that then combine with water to form sulfuric acid.

2

Acidification

This mixture generates sulfuric acid. The water becomes corrosive, capable of dissolving metals that were previously trapped in the rock.

The pH of the water can drop to levels between 2.5-4 (similar to vinegar). In areas of high rainfall such as Loja (more than 1,000 mm/year), tailings ponds have a very high risk of seepage into aquifers.

3

Potential Impact

Heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury) dissolve and contaminate rivers and aquifers during decades or centuries.

Risk assessment: Documented experience in mining districts with similar geography—such as Zaruma (urban subsidence and contaminated water sources)—indicates that this risk poses a critical threat to the ecological and economic integrity of the valley. Although companies argue that the DAM (Disaster Area Management) is "controllable" with cutting-edge technology, in areas of high seismicity, mitigation measures have a historically significant margin of error.

Two epicenters of conflict in the region: Quinara and Fierro Urco

It is important to distinguish two nearby but distinct conflict zones within the province, with differentiated hydrological roles within the system that sustains Vilcabamba:

Quinara Parish (Chalapo Project. Code 700411). Located south of Vilcabamba, it was granted in 2016 to EMSAEC SA, a subsidiary of the Chilean state-owned company CODELCO. Although geographically it is located downstream from Vilcabamba—meaning it does not affect the valley's direct water intakes—its operation compromises the integrity of the lower basin and the biological corridors that connect to the southern part of the province. EMSAEC also maintains control of the Llurimagua project in partnership with ENAMI EP, consolidating its strategic presence in the country.

Páramo Fierro Urco Located 90 km north of Loja, this area is the source of the four watersheds that maintain the regional water balance. It contains large-scale mining concessions totaling approximately 27,272 hectares, notably Caña Brava and Tioloma (Cornerstone/SolGold), El Cisne 2A, 2B, and 2C (Green Rock Resources), and Santiago (Minera Mar). Although the immediate water intake for Vilcabamba depends on Podocarpus National Park, the Fierro Urco project jeopardizes the stability of the microclimate and the base flow of the entire hydrographic network of the province. The legal action for the protection of the Gualel community was filed in January 2022.

Updated February 2026: The Ministry of Environment and Energy (Resolution MAE-MAE-2026-0005-RM) suspended 46 of 100 active mining concessions in the province of Loja. The operations, with the support of the Armed Forces, continue until all 100 active concessions are affected. Source: El Universo, February 10, 2026. According to water defenders in the region, these operations «"They are responding to the social pressure initiated by the Gualel community in 2022 and are seeking a total halt to activities that do not guarantee the protection of water sources."»

Success Stories in Ecuador

Legal Precedents in Ecuador

Analysis of cases where constitutional mechanisms of citizen participation modified decisions on natural resources.

Popular Consultation of Cuenca

2021

The city of Cuenca voted and banned mining in water recharge zones through a binding popular consultation. This constitutional mechanism represents a precedent for direct participation in decisions about natural resources at the municipal level.

Fierro Urco (Loja / Saraguro)

In progress

The resistance of the Saraguro communities maintains this «"Southern Water Star" free of industrial mining on a large scale through constant mobilization, despite the more than 200 cases brought to court.

Los Cedros Case

Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court He banned mining in this protected forest using precisely the Rights of Nature., the same legal argument that has protected the Vilcabamba River since 2011.

Sinangoe — Cofán People

Prior Consultation

They recovered their territory after demonstrating that the State did not carry out the prior consultation required by law. Community organization was the decisive instrument.

Anatomy of Defeat

Why does it get lost in other places?

Critical lessons to avoid repeating the same mistakes.

Community Division

In Zamora, mining companies managed to gain entry by dividing families and offering temporary jobs. Social unity is the first shield.

Lack of Own Data

Without verifiable, independent water analyses, it's difficult to compare official data. The community needs independent citizen science.

Blind Trust in the State

The cases where the extractive impact could not be mitigated show a common pattern: exclusive dependence on the administrative times of the State without parallel development of independent citizen verification mechanisms.

Strategic Capital

Why can Vilcabamba win?

Unlike other areas that have succumbed, Vilcabamba possesses unique assets that few communities in the world have.

Pioneering Jurisprudence

Vilcabamba has had a court ruling since 2011 recognizing the Rights of Nature of the river. The Los Cedros case (2021) demonstrated the contemporary viability of this legal argument in judicial proceedings.

Global Brand of Wellness and Longevity

The world is watching Vilcabamba. The political and tourism cost of destroying the "Valley of Longevity" is too high for any government seeking international recognition.

Single Share Capital

The union of local activists, scientists, and international residents creates a technical, legal, and media advocacy network that few communities in the world possess. This diversity is a strength.

Legal Routes: The Tools That Work

Strategies proven in Ecuador, replicable for Vilcabamba.

TO

Local Popular Consultation

A model tested in Cuenca (2021) and the Andean Chocó. It allows for the protection of the territory through direct citizen will, overriding any prior administrative concessions.

B

Water Protection Areas (APH)

The technical declaration of APH in the micro-basins of the Vilcabamba River protects the water resource due to its essential function, complementing the 2011 ruling on the Rights of Nature.

The End of Good Living

Goodbye to the "Valley of Longevity"?

The science is clear: the presence of heavy metals in the water would biologically invalidate Vilcabamba's world record.

Heavy metals are not biodegradable. bioaccumulate in human tissues over the years. This generates oxidative stress, a cellular process that is the exact opposite of the well-being that the valley currently promises.

The perception of "contaminated water" would destroy the destination's reputation long before the river actually becomes murky. For a town that relies on health tourism, mining doesn't represent development: it represents the risk of the collapse of its economic and sociocultural identity.

Without your own data, there is no defense.

The community needs to promote independent and verifiable water analysis. Without its own citizen science, it's difficult to compare official data. This is a direct lesson from experiences in other parts of the country.

Cardiovascular Risk

Oxidative stress is a proven risk factor for heart attacks and coronary diseases, ironically the ailments that Vilcabamba promised to cure.

Neurological Damage

Mercury (used in illegal mining) and lead are potent neurotoxins that affect the central nervous system and long-term cognitive development.

Tourism Collapse

The "Valley of Longevity" brand is instantly destroyed by any news of pollution. Health tourism requires certainty, not promises.

In-depth Conflict Analysis

Key questions to understand the 2026 crisis.

What is the real impact of the 2026 Ecuador-US agreement?
On February 4, 2026, Ecuador signed the "Framework for Supply Assurance in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths" with the United States during the Ministerial Conference on Critical Minerals held in Washington, D.C. The agreement was signed by Foreign Minister Gabriela Sommerfeld. According to statements from the U.S. State Department, the objective is to "strengthen supply chains" for copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earths. Assistant Secretary of State Caleb Orr noted that Ecuador has "high-quality reserves" in the Andean region. The Ecuadorian Chamber of Mining highlighted that the country has "less than 11,000 tons of its territory effectively explored." Sources: El Universo, Primicias, U.S. State Department (February 2026).
Why didn't the landmark 2011 ruling protect the river?
It was a symbolic victory, but administratively fragile. In 2018, the Constitutional Court (Case 0032-12-IS) closed the case, arguing that the institutions had already done «enough,» even though the ecological restoration was never completed. This set a precedent of impunity: one can «comply on paper» without restoring nature. However, the Los Cedros case demonstrated that the same Rights of Nature argument can be successfully used today.
What exactly is happening in Podocarpus National Park?
The park is suffering a massive invasion of illegal gold mining. Satellite reports (MAAP) detect more than 222 camps and the destruction of 25 hectares of primary forest in areas such as Dos Camas and San Luis. Although more than 386 operations against illegal mining were carried out in Loja and Zamora in 2025 (with an economic impact on illegal economies of 1.4 billion pesos), the problem continues to spread because these illegal economies are already entrenched in the territory.
What is Acid Mine Drainage and why is it lethal here?
It's an irreversible chemical reaction. When the rock is broken to extract gold, the sulfides oxidize and create sulfuric acid. This acid dissolves heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, mercury) and carries them into the water. In Vilcabamba, with its high rainfall and geological faults, any tailings dam carries an extremely high risk of collapse or leakage into the river. Drinking water and irrigation water become contaminated with invisible toxins that cause cancer and long-term neurological damage.
What role do transnational corporations play?
Companies like Lumina Gold (Cangrejos) and Adventus Mining (Curipamba/El Domo) lead large-scale mega-mining in the southern region. Their presence legitimizes extractive infrastructure, creating roads and power grids that, paradoxically, also facilitate access for illegal miners to remote areas. National media outlets have pointed to possible links between business groups and the mining sector, though without any court ruling to confirm it, which has generated public debate about the need to strengthen transparency in environmental licensing processes.
What role does the Nobis Group play in the mining expansion of Ecuador?

The shareholding structure of Nobis Holding in the Ecuadorian mining sector has been the subject of analysis in specialized media (Wambra Community Media, June 2025; Glass Code, May 2021) within the framework of the public interest in transparency in strategic sectors of the country.

According to public information available from the Superintendency of Companies of Ecuador, Nobis Holding —a business group founded in 1997 by Isabel Noboa Pontón— acquired in May 2019 the 9.9% of Adventus Mining Corporation shares (Canadian company) for USD $5.4 million, achieving representation on the board of directors of the mining company.

Timeline of corporate transactions (public data):

  • 2019: Nobis Consortium acquires 9.9% from Adventus Mining Corporation
  • January 2024: Adventus Mining acquires Luminex Resources, expanding its project portfolio
  • July 2024: Adventus Mining Corporation sells all of its Ecuadorian assets to Silvercorp Metals (Canadian company)
  • 2024-present: Nobis Holding identifies itself on its corporate website as "a local partner of Silvercorp Metals"«

According to Adventus Mining's publicly available corporate information (verified February 2026), the company controls 12 mining projects distributed across 5 Ecuadorian provinces, with an approximate surface area of 135,000 hectares (equivalent to almost a third of Quito's urban area). The portfolio includes Curipamba-El Domo (in operation since January 2024) and multiple projects in the exploration phase.

Documentary sources: Wambra Community Media (April 24, 2025), Glass Code (May 29, 2021), Superintendence of Companies of Ecuador – Commercial Registry (public consultation), Nobis Holdings corporate website – Investments section (verified February 2026), Latin American Summary (June 3, 2025).

What has happened to the water defenders (Fierro Urco case)?
There is a documented trend of criminal proceedings being opened against water and land defenders in the southern region. By 2025, human rights organizations and regional media had reported more than 200 people linked to legal proceedings in the context of mining resistance, under charges such as "disruption of public services" or "sabotage." In January 2022, the community of Gualel filed a protective action against the Ministry of the Environment, with the aim of halting activities in the concessions Santiago, Caña Brava, Tioloma and El Cisne 2. The mining concessions in Fierro Urco total approximately 27,272 hectares (ARCOM data) containing gold, silver, and copper, and are held by transnational corporations (Cornerstone Capital Resources, Green Rock Resources, Compañía Minera Mar, among others). The Kichwa Saraguro people are leading the resistance in this territory, located between the cantons of Loja and Saraguro, approximately 90 km north of the city of Loja.
Is there a conflict of interest in the government?
Civil society organizations and specialized media outlets have documented public debates about potential links between the business and extractive sectors in Ecuador. These concerns, which have not yet been definitively resolved in court, have prompted citizen demands for greater transparency and independent oversight mechanisms within the Ministry of Environment when granting environmental licenses. This type of questioning reinforces the importance of active and independent citizen oversight as an institutional counterbalance.
Is "responsible" mining possible in Vilcabamba?
Technically, it's highly improbable due to the geography and climate. Vilcabamba is located in an area of high rainfall and geological faults. Any tailings dam carries an extremely high risk of collapse or seepage into the river. In an ecosystem dedicated to health, zero risk is impossible, and any contamination is fatal to its economy. The case of Zaruma—with urban subsidence and contamination of water sources—is the closest and most telling example.
What is the most viable legal solution today?
The most effective strategy combines two tools: the Local Popular Consultation (Cuenca 2021 and Chocó Andino model) and the technical declaration of Water Protection Areas (APH) in the micro-watersheds. This legally protects the territory based on citizen will and water resources, superseding administrative mining concessions. To achieve this, it is essential to have independent water quality data, separate from the State.
Public Policy Analysis 2026

The State Maze 2026

Structural contradictions between local control measures and legal frameworks that facilitate transnational extractive expansion.

1

Suspension as a Mechanism for Strategic Reorganization

There is an operational contradiction between the implementation of Resolution MAE-MAE-2026-0005-RM (which suspends 46 local concessions) and the simultaneous introduction of the Urgent Economic Law for Mining Strengthening. While the former is presented as an environmental control measure for small-scale mining, the latter proposes mechanisms for "administrative efficiency" that reduce licensing times (especially environmental ones) for large-scale projects.

Because?: The legality of the suspension is not questioned, but the inconsistency of policies is exposed: current limitation, while promoting the creation of a legal framework that facilitates the entry of new companies into the same jurisdiction.

2

Technical Opacity in Air Operations

There is a lack of transparency regarding the nature of the airborne sensors documented in Vilcabamba and the surrounding region. The use of deep-penetrating magnetometers is not technically related to security operations against illegal mining (where optical or thermal sensors are used).

Because?: The technological nature of the equipment observed is inherently exploratory. The lack of a public report justifying the need for geophysical mapping for conservation purposes reveals an information gap that violates citizens' right to access public information (LOTAIP).

3

The Shift in the Concept of National Security

The official discourse justifies the military deployment in mining areas under the framework of internal security. However, following the signing of the strategic agreement with the United States (February 4, 2026), mining takes on the dimension of an international supply commitment.

Because? The change in the legal status of the resource is analyzed. What is presented to the public as a "fight against illegal economies" coexists with a geopolitical commitment to ensuring the flow of minerals to external markets, which redefines the role of security forces in the territory, shifting it towards the protection of strategic extractive infrastructure.

4

Structural Flexibility via "Strengthening Law"«

The Mining Strengthening Law (February 2026) introduces legal figures of "exceptional participation" and allows the transfer of percentages of concessions between operators, a previously restricted practice.

Because? The creation of a secondary market for concessions is being discussed. This reform allows junior exploration companies to carry out technical mapping of the territory and then transfer the rights to large transnational corporations. By diluting the original ownership, the ability of local communities to monitor who the actual operator is in their territory is weakened, under the guise of a law whose stated purpose is solely fiscal.

Methodological clarification: This analysis does not allege illegality or suggest administrative irregularities. It merely documents observable contradictions between simultaneous public policy instruments, with the aim of promoting citizen scrutiny of the structural coherence of state decisions regarding extractive activities, in exercise of the constitutional right to participate in matters of collective interest (Art. 61.4 CRE).

Editorial Disclaimer and Transparency

This report constitutes an exercise in investigative journalism and technical analysis, protected by articles 18, 66 (paragraph 6) and 384 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ecuador.

Nature of Information

All technical, financial, administrative and corporate information presented (including data from Nobis Holding, Silvercorp Metals, CODELCO, Lumina Gold, Adventus Mining, as well as resolutions from the Ministry of Environment and ARCOM) comes exclusively from public domain records, government databases, official stock exchange announcements and reports from verifiable scientific bodies (such as MAAP and EcoCiencia Foundation).

Absence of Imputation of Illegality

This report is limited to the description of facts, corporate timelines, and documented environmental risks. In compliance with the Comprehensive Organic Criminal Code (COIP), this document does not make accusations of illegality, suggest the commission of crimes, or impute administrative irregularities to any natural or legal person.

Risk Analysis

Water and geophysical risks (such as acid mine drainage) are presented using citizen science models and scientific literature to foster informed public debate. None of the information contained herein should be construed as legal or professional technical advice.

Exercise of Constitutional Law: This report is based on the rights to freedom of expression, access to public information (LOTAIP), and free, pluralistic, and diverse communication established in the Constitution of Ecuador. All content has been produced with journalistic rigor and social responsibility.

References and Sources

Judgments and Judicial Documents

  • • Judgment No. 010-2011-JZL (World's first ruling on the Rights of Nature, Vilcabamba River, 2011)
  • • Case 0032-12-IS, Constitutional Court of Ecuador (2018)

Data on Illegal Mining

  • • MAAP #221: Illegal mining in protected natural areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon. EcoCiencia Foundation / Amazon Conservation, October 2024. maapprogram.org — Documents 50 hectares affected in the Loyola River (Podocarpus), an increase of 125% between 2023-2024.
  • • Mongabay Latam: «Illegal mining expands in four protected areas of the Ecuadorian Amazon,» October 23, 2024. mongabay.com
  • • MAAP #172: Illegal Gold Mining in Podocarpus National Park (Ecuador). EcoCiencia Foundation, January 2023. maapprogram.org — Original data from 222 camps (2019-2022).
  • • Breaking News: "Illegal mining in Podocarpus has tripled since 2019", January 11, 2023. primicias.ec

Hydrography and Basins

  • • La Hora Newspaper: «The water star of the South: Fierro Urco». lahora.com.ec — Document the four basins that originate in Fierro Urco: Catamayo, Santiago, Jubones and Puyango.
  • • Mongabay Latam: «Mining threatens the Fierro Urku moorland: the water star of southern Ecuador,» August 23, 2022. mongabay.com
  • • Diario Crónica: «Let's get to know our province: Catamayo canton», September 27, 2023. cronica.com.ec — Confirms that the Vilcabamba River is a tributary of the Catamayo (right bank).

Mining Concessions (Fierro Urco)

  • • Breaking News: «Communities of Fierro Urco request consultation to stop mining», November 28, 2022. primicias.ec
  • • Observatory of Mining Conflicts in Latin America (OCMAL): Project «9 Mining Concessions in Fierro Urco». conflictsminers.net

US-Ecuador Agreement (February 2026)

  • • U.S. State Department: «Critical Minerals Ministerial Meeting 2026,» February 4, 2026. state.gov
  • • Breaking News: "United States: Ecuador has significant and high-quality reserves of rare earths, copper and gold," February 11, 2026. primicias.ec
  • • Breaking News: «Trump invites President Daniel Noboa and his allies in Latin America to a summit in Miami in March 2026,» February 11, 2026. primicias.ec

Suspension of Concessions (February 2026)

  • • El Universo: «In one week, 89 mining concessions and 54 plants were suspended in Napo, Loja and El Oro», February 10, 2026. eluniverso.com

Mining Registry 2026

  • • Breaking News: "Mining registry for non-metallic mining will reopen in Ecuador within 15 days," June 17, 2025. panoramaecuador.com
  • • El Universo: «Mining registry for large-scale projects would open in mid-2026», December 11, 2025. eluniverso.com