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 Earthwords

Friends of the Earth CANADA E-Newsletter

As tensions rise in the cloud forest of Ecuador, a Provincial Court ruling expected to grant a constitutional injunction to the communities of Intag, can’t come a moment too soon. Earlier this month, six people identifying themselves as employees of Canadian-based Ascendant Copper were found in the Intag Ecological Reserve without authorization from local authorities who are opposing the project, putting residents on alert and raising fears of violent conflict.

 

Although this initial confrontation did not result in violence, it has incited events which have culminated in the illegal detention of two Intag residents, who have subsequently been released without bail, as well as the assault of two employees of the Ecuadorian Ministry of the Environment by pro-mining forces, who allegedly confused the government workers with local residents gathered to oppose the project. Two company employees were also held by community representatives for some time, but were later released to police without incident, as a good will gesture. Since the formation of the Intag Regional Assembly in May, community residents and political representatives have been actively pursuing a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict in the region. However, as police and paramilitary forces move in to the region using Ascendant company vehicles, this prospect seems increasingly unlikely.

 

The court ruling, which is expected to be handed down Friday, September 29, would prevent approval of Ascendant’s Environmental Impact Study (EIS) until allegations brought against both the Ecuadorian Minister of Energy and Mines and the company are addressed. This would thereby prevent Ascendant from moving ahead with its plans to begin advanced mineral exploration activities in the region, for an indefinite period of time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intag Marred by Violence:

Residents Confront Canadian Mining Company in an Attempt to Save their Lands

SEPTEMBER 2006 —Issue 11

 

The Intag region of Cotacachi County, is part of both the Choco and Ecuadorian Andes biodiversity hotspots.  Cloud forests like that of Intag are among the most endangered ecosystems and also contain exceptionally large numbers of plant and animal species found nowhere else in the world.

 

Help the people of Intag save their environment by writing the President of Ecuador today!