Mining will stoke tensions in Ecuador

Significance The move raises risks for Noboa, who presented himself during his presidential campaign as environmentally aware. An ongoing dispute in Cotopaxi between indigenous communities and Canadian firm Atico Mining suggests expanding the mining frontier will generate resistance that could tarnish Noboa’s image. Impacts Terrorist charges against anti-mining protesters will boost claims that Noboa is using the security crisis to further his economic agenda. Mining conflicts will intensify CONAIE’s opposition to the Noboa government which might result in another national mobilisation. The repression of protesters might also increase divisions between the government and the correista opposition.