Mayor Zamora and Minister Manzano clash over environmental concerns and mining practices in Azuay’s páramo region

A heated dispute has emerged between Cuenca Mayor Cristian Zamora and Ecuador’s Energy Minister Inés Manzano over the controversial Loma Larga mining project, located in the Azuay province. The project, which has recently received an environmental exploitation license from the Ministry of the Environment for the Canadian company Dundee Precious Metals, has sparked strong opposition from the Municipality of Cuenca and its public utilities, particularly the Municipal Drinking Water Company (ETAPA).

In a direct response to the conflict, Mayor Zamora took to social media to express his strong objections to the project, accusing the national government of overlooking the potential environmental hazards posed by the mining activities. ETAPA, which has conducted research on the project’s impact, published a report concluding that the mining operations could seriously threaten the Quimsacocha páramos, a vital water source for Cuenca.

Minister Manzano’s Retort: Claims of Deception

Energy Minister Inés Manzano, during her visit to Cuenca on July 30th, sharply criticized the ETAPA report, labeling it as misleading. “ETAPA is lying,” she said in an interview, asserting that the company had overstated the risks posed by the mining operation. According to Manzano, Cuenca’s municipal authorities were using the mining issue as a political tool.

In a pointed remark, Manzano also referred to the ongoing illegal mining activities in the Río Blanco area, accusing Mayor Zamora of failing to tackle this issue. “ETAPA has become like the mayor’s political arm. And I would like the mayor to first remove the illegal mining in Molleturo, before coming to talk about mining that is legal and responsible in every sense,” Manzano remarked, citing the failure of authorities to control illegal mining in the Río Blanco region.

Zamora Fires Back: Calls for Accountability

Mayor Zamora quickly responded to Manzano’s criticisms, asserting that the fight against illegal mining was a responsibility of the national government, not the municipality. “Energy Minister Manzano asks me to eliminate illegal mining. That is not my responsibility, it is the state’s responsibility and with the public force that I do NOT manage,” Zamora retorted on his X account.

However, he expressed willingness to collaborate with the national government to address the issue, reaffirming his commitment to protecting Cuenca’s water sources. “Please call me, and I will be there with the full support of Cuenca, because this cannot happen,” he added, reiterating his stance on mining activities.

“Here you’ll find us rallying together, and also defending our water sources, which more than 80% of Cuenca has ordered us to care for and preserve.”

In a more aggressive follow-up, Zamora challenged the Minister’s claims, suggesting that a world-class university conduct independent studies to validate ETAPA’s findings. “ETAPA doesn’t lie, and if you believe that, I’ll pay any world-class university to conduct the studies, and we’ll stick to that. It’s easy,” he added in a social media post.

Zamora further questioned the environmental practices of Dundee Precious Metals, sharing images of alleged environmental damage caused by the company’s operations in Namibia, urging citizens to reflect on the long-term consequences of the mining project.

Public Reaction and Legal Challenges

The Loma Larga mining project has stirred significant opposition across Cuenca, with various sectors of society expressing concerns about its environmental impact. The Ecuadorian Mining Chamber announced in May that the project had completed the prior consultation process, which had been ordered by a judge, and was preparing to move forward. However, anti-mining groups and local authorities strongly reject the legitimacy of this consultation, claiming it was neither inclusive nor transparent.

The environmental license granted to the Canadian mining company has triggered legal challenges from social organizations, Cuenca authorities, and the local population. They argue that the project poses an unacceptable threat to the region’s páramo ecosystem and, by extension, the city’s water supply. These groups are now pursuing legal action to halt the project’s progress.

A Divisive Issue for Cuenca’s Future

As tensions continue to rise between Cuenca’s municipal government and the national administration, the debate surrounding the Loma Larga project underscores broader national discussions on balancing economic development with environmental sustainability. The outcome of this dispute may not only influence the future of the mining project but also shape the approach to resource management in Ecuador’s sensitive ecological regions.