CAMPAIGN UPDATES 

JUNE 25 2019 - Violence in Gina Rinehart's concession in the Íntag. At least 19 people were injured in a shoot-out between rival organised crime gangs of illegal miners in Hanrine's lucrative gold mining concession in northwestern Ecuador, less than 50 kms from Los Cedros. We need to keep the pressure on these companies and remind investors that there is no way to regulate their activities in such fragile, socially disadvantaged and mega-biodiverse areas. Where there is mining, there will be violence, human rights atrocities and ecocide. See MRAG's newest report here.

APRIL 2019: MRAG (Melbourne Rainforest Action Group) has delivered funds and resources to the Intag region over the past month, enabling the local resistance against mining to be stepped up. As the locally driven Los Cedros campaign expands to take in other mining threats in the northwest region, the need for a central space to organise has become clear. Ecuador Endangered campaign funds have been allocated, alongside other donations, towards securing an office in the town of Ibarra. This will be used by feisty local environmental group, OMASNE. 

APRIL 27 2019: BIG WIN FOR THE WAORANI. The Waorani of the Ecuadorian Amazon - who have been fighting to keep their lands free of oil exploitation for over fifty years - have managed to secure protection for 180,000 hectares of their territory after an epic court battle. This is the third major win for indigenous people in Ecuador against extractive industries in under nine months. While the government may appeal the court's decision, the Waorani's resistance is being joined by other indigenous nationalities, and local and international solidarity is strong. So let's celebrate - and ensure that the victory is lasting! Sign and share Amazon Frontlines' petition and news updates.

APRIL 26 2019: RIGHTS OF NATURE FOR JUNÍN? The national Ombudsman’s Office releases a report which declares the Junín Community Reserve, Intag, threatened by exploration for the Llurimagua gold mine, a ‘subject with rights.’ It says that if actions are not taken to suspend the gold-mining project based on the serious environmental threats it poses and violations that have already occurred, the Ombudsman will ‘take appropriate measures’ to protect human rights and the rights of nature within the region. This short, heart-warming video about the report and its effect on the local communities was released last week by local environmental defence group DECOIN. These are the voices from the ground in Ecuador: please listen and share! https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=55e3sOsf78o&app=desktop

APRIL 17-19 2019: LOS CEDROS CASE NEARS ITS FINAL RULING. Judges pay a 2 day visit to the Los Cedros and nearby communities. The majority of community members turned out in favour of protection of their drinking water and biodiversity. Elisa Levy, coordinator of the key local campaign group OMASNE, says: ‘We believe the judges are clear about the importance of preserving Los Cedros.’ 

JANUARY 26 2019: DAMNING REPORT FOR LLURIMAGUA. Just a few kilometres northwest of Los Cedros, a major development has happened in the fight to stop the controversial Llurimagua mining project, which is being bankrolled by Chilean company Codelco alongside Ecuadorian state company ENAMI. A study was conducted by the Comptroller General on the viability and sustainability of the mine. The report of a special examination by the State General Comptroller is heard.  It found serious 'irregularities' in the conduction of the project, including environmental and human rights violations.

JANUARY 15 2019: MIRADOR LOSS. In Ecuador’s south, a provincial judge denied an action for protection against the infamous Mirador copper mine in Tundayme, southeastern Ecuador. Mirador has been the site of numerous serious human rights offences over recent years, including murders. Defendants lodged the action based on incidents of forced evictions, lack of adequate housing and clean water for those relocated, and violations of free, prior and informed consent. They have vowed to appeal the judge's decision.  

DECEMBER 15 2018 Having granted the Caminantes Collective (Ecuadorean civil society groups struggling to save these forests) $9000 a few months ago for their national campaign, RIC has now disbursed another $9000 raised in the Ecuador Endangered crowdfund to the Melbourne Rainforest Action Group. MRAG have been leading the charge internationally with their research and direct actions putting pressure on the Australian mining companies who hold the lions share of the contested mining concessions.

OCTOBER 20 2018  RIC are proud to  publish an important article by  Ecuadorian economist, Alberto  Acosta,  a  former Minister of Energy and Mines, former president of the Constituent Assembly and former candidate for the Presidency of the Republic of Ecuador. "Río Blanco, Justice for The Rights of Nature" looks at the far-reaching implications of the August 3 court decision to suspend mining in Rio Blanco.

AUGUST 5 2018 This could be the game-changer we’ve been waiting for. A court in the Azuay Province of Ecuador has rejected the Government’s appeal and the Chinese-owned Rio Blanco gold mine has been stopped! See the excellent article about this issue  written last week before this historic decision.

JULY 16 2018 - Important article on the economic damage caused by the mining industry, written by Alberto Acosta Ecuadorian economist  former Minister of Energy and Mines. Former president of the Constituent Assembly. Former candidate for the Presidency of the Republic of Ecuador. ENGLISH.....  ESPAÑOL.

JULY 11 2018 We’re starting to bear down on the Aussie mining companies who have the lions share of the 2 million Ha of concessions we’re contesting in Ecuador. The newly reborn Melbourne Rainforest Action Group (MRAG) is doing fantastic work and  along with the Australian Student Environment Network, and Friends of the Earth, we paid BHP a little visit.   Photos