Esmeraldas, Ecuador: Minister Questions Destruction of Mining Machinery

According to ElUniverso.com a legislator of the Democratic Popular Movement (MPD) Linder Altafuya is questioning the destruction of mining machinery on May 21 by three ministers of the Biodiversity Committee of the National Assembly. Altafuya is questioning the legality of the actions by these minister that left one wounded and more than 67 earthmovers destroyed by dynamite in Esmeraldas. The Ecuadorian Constitution of the Mining Act does not cover this action, according to Altafuya, legally. The Mining Act states that machinery cannot be destroyed and should be seized and given to the community, Altafuya reports. Groups like the Commission on Biodiversity and Community Rights Groups are working on the case. Altafuya may pursue impeachment proceedings.Read Article