South-western Ecuador, one of the most biologically and culturally diverse areas on the planet, is under threat from open-cast copper and gold mining, and extensive oil exploration contracts that will destroy vast areas of old-growth rainforest and displace entire groups of indigenous people.
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The alleged victims, and some as petitioners, allege that the State is responsible for the violation of their rights due to the lack of protection and control of a mining project which would have caused the irreversible deterioration of the environment and effects on the decent life of eight populated centres and ten communities in the area3.
Approved by the Commission on 9 March 2022.
Accepted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights based in Costa Rica.
English translation of our case
Evaluation of the Design and Construction of the Tailings Dams for the Mirador Mine, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador
Steve Emerman’s Report
Evaluation of the Design and Construction of the Tailings Dams for the Mirador Mine, Zamora Chinchipe, Ecuador
Legal Update from March 2019