Concern over imminent strip mining sourthern Ecuador

Ecuador has more species per unit area than any other country, a unique ecology that is now uniquely protected under its constitution. But upholding these highly commendable conservation policies is a
challenge. For example, a landmark legal precedent was set in a lawsuit brought in early 2011 against the local government for damages to the Vilcabamba River caused by a road-construction project. The defendant was ordered to pay for recuperation of the river. One year on, there has still been no substantial remediation (see go.nature.com/6m4aea) put a serious strain on the country’s legal system and its environmental policies. In light of this situation, we are concerned that the imminent strip mining in southern Ecuador of gold and copper ore worth US$200 billion could put a serious strain on the
country’s legal system and its environmental policies.
Kelly Swing Tiputini Biodiversity
Station,University San Francisco
de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.
kswing@usfq.edu.ec
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Luis Sempértegui Superior
Court (retired), Loja Province,
Ecuador.
Kelly Swing Tiputini Biodiversity
Station,University San Francisco
de Quito, Quito, Ecuador.
kswing@usfq.edu.ec
Luis Sempértegui Superior
Court (retired), Loja Province,
Ecuador.