Lundin mine to restart as Ecuador begins to reopen

Locals protest move could spread COVID

QUITO • Ecuador has restarted some mining operations that were paused for nearly two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, and residents of a community near one of the country’s largest mines have protested that resuming work could spread the disease.

The Andean country’s government, in need of revenue to help service a heavy debt load, approved new security protocols for mineral transport and the return of workers to the mines. Mining activity has fallen by 60 per cent due to quarantine measures to stem one of the worst outbreaks in Latin America.

Ecuador ’ s two largest mines, Fruta del Norte and Mirador, are preparing to restart operations gradually, said Fernando Benalcazar, the country’s vice-minister of mining, while smaller miners in the south have begun transporting minerals.

Some residents of the town of Zamora near the Fruta del Norte mine said they do not believe the company is doing enough. Three people, including one member of the local police force, were arrested over the weekend for seeking to block vehicles bringing materials to and from the mine, though they have since been released.

“We are concerned and scared that our people get infected,” Zamora’s mayor, Miguel Gonzalez, said in a telephone interview, adding that the town’s 50- year- old hospital was not prepared for an outbreak.

Toronto- based Lundin Mining Corp., which operates Fruta del Norte, said it was restarting mineral transport under international security protocols for workers and nearby communities. It said it would test the drivers of the vehicles that entered its mine for COVID-19, and fumigate daily.

Lundin said its vehicles would not make any stops at nearby restaurants or gas stations, which would help avoid the spread. Ecuador’s energy ministry said it had discussed the new protocol with more than 250 officials from localities near mines.

Lundin shares closed up just over 9 per cent to $6.65 in Toronto trading Tuesday.