Facts:

• Mirador is Ecuador’s first large-scale open-pit copper mine, operated by Chinese-owned Ecuacorriente S.A.
• The mine is part of Ecuador’s national strategy to boost economic growth through mining exports, expected to generate billions in revenue by 2030
• Processes 60,000 tons of rock daily

Environmental Risks:

• The mine includes two large tailings dams located in a seismically active zone, with experts warning of possible failure and toxic waste spills.
• Acid mine drainage poses a risk of contaminating rivers with heavy metals, threatening ecosystems downstream
• Over 15,000 acres of rainforest have been cleared, affecting biodiversity and contributing to carbon emissions.

Effects:

• Endangered species and fragile ecosystems in the Amazon basin are under threat.
• Indigenous communities face water contamination and loss of access to clean rivers and forest resources.
• If a tailings dam fails, it could cause an environmental disaster affecting thousands and polluting one of the Amazon’s tributaries.

Last updated: May 2025