National government, mining lobby react angrily to city report on Loma Larga mine; Noboa orders audit of murders; renovated San Blas Park reopens

Ecuador’s Ministry of Mining and the Azuay Chamber of Mining have called a report by the city of Cuenca on the Loma Linda gold mine “misleading, inaccurate and unnecessary.” In addition, the Ministry of Mining said the city exceeded its authority by investigated the project at Giron and claimed that it is the responsibility of the national government to carry out environmental studies.

In a report released last week, the municipal utility ETAPA warned that further development at Loma Linda would threaten water sources due to the discharge of acids and heavy metals.

Both the ministry and the Chamber of Mining claim that previous studies have shown that there is no risk of pollution at the Quimsacocha páramo site as a result of the prevention and remediation strategies implemented by Canadian mining operator Dundee Precious Metals.

The San Blas Plaza in the historic district reopened Saturday after a three-month, $800,000 renovation project.

Although Loma Linda would not have a direct impact on Cuenca’s drinking water, the ETAPA report said the impact on the affected watershed could harm agricultural interests in the canton of Cuenca. ETAPA said the investigation was conducted in response to a complaint filed by community members opposed to Loma Linda’s activities.

The mining chamber and the ministry claim that the concession for Loma Linda was granted before a 2022 vote by Cuenca residents to ban mining that would affect the canton’s water resources.

Dundee Precious Metals estimates that Loma Linda will produce 225,000 ounces of gold, valued at more than half a billion dollars at current prices, over the 12-year life of the mine.

Noboa orders investigation into murders
President Daniel Noboa has ordered an investigation into the possible cover-up of murders during the administrations of Rafael Correa, Lenin Moreno and Guillermo Lasso. The order follows the publication of a study by University of Chicago researcher Arduino Tomasi, which claims that 7,700 murders during Correa’s presidency have been reclassified to “undetermined cause” status.

Tomasi said the number of deaths labeled “undetermined cause” rose by more than 800% during Correa’s government (2007-2017), following the closure of a U.S. military counter-narcotics operation in Manta. Tomasi said nearly all of the deaths were linked to “extreme violence,” with most being clear assassinations.

In interviews with Ecuadorian media, Tomasi claimed that Correa knew that by ending U.S. anti-drug surveillance flights, Colombian drug cartels would expand cocaine exports through Ecuadorian ports. “He (Correa) also knew that the number of homicides would increase significantly, as the cartels and gangs fought for dominance in the new market,” Tomasi told Ecuador Envivo. “Correa wanted to hide the increase in homicides from the public and had them reclassified.”

Renovated San Blas Park Reopens
The renovated San Blas Park, which reopened Saturday, features improved lighting and security, restored benches and replanted gardens. The upgrades were the first in 24 years, according to the Cuenca Municipal Public Cleaning Company (EMAC EP).

San Blas Park, originally called Plaza Hurtado de Mendoza, dates back to when the Spanish founded Cuenca in 1557.

The park is built around a central fountain and a bust of writer and political activist Manuel Calle, and is adjacent to the San Blas church, the original eastern entrance to Cuenca. According to the mayor’s office, the project includes 20 new streetlights, 26 refurbished metal and wood benches, six security cameras and 1,500 feet of wrought-iron garden fencing. The park’s garden areas have been replanted with 25,000 shrubs and flowers.

A similar renovation project is underway at San Sebastián Park, on the western side of the historic district. San Sebastián is expected to reopen in late October, in time for Cuenca’s independence holidays.