In 2025, the Ecuadorian government increased its efforts to combat illegal mining by carrying out 386 operations across the country. These actions resulted in economic losses of more than USD 1.16 million for criminal groups involved in illegal mineral extraction.
The operations were led jointly by the Armed Forces, National Police, Mining Regulation and Control Agency (ARCOM), and the Ministry of Environment and Energy. The coordinated approach is part of a state policy aimed at fighting illegal mining, which authorities say finances irregular groups, harms ecosystems, threatens communities, and undermines national security.
Authorities intensified their activities during the last weeks of December. Between December 22 and 28, eleven strategic operations took place in high-risk areas with significant illegal mining activity in Zamora Chinchipe, Loja, Chimborazo, Azuay, El Oro, and Napo provinces. These interventions led to the dismantling of illegal camps and disruption of logistics used for illicit mineral extraction.
As a result of these joint efforts by control and security agencies:
– Six machines were destroyed
– Three machines were disabled
– Twenty mine entrances were destroyed
– Nineteen sorting screens were disabled
– Nine water pumps were destroyed
– Four electric generators were destroyed
– 4,830 gallons of diesel fuel were seized or rendered unusable
“The National Government reaffirms that the fight against illegal mining is a priority not only because of its environmental impact but also because this activity fuels criminal networks and irregular groups, violates community rights, and compromises sustainable development in the country,” according to an official statement.
