Adventus Mining and Salazar Resources have secured the environmental licence required for the El Domo-Curipamba project’s construction and operation, from the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Energy Transition of the Government of Ecuador (MAATE).
This is said to mark a significant milestone for the project, aligning with both Ecuadorian legislation and international best practices.
The environmental licensing process for El Domo-Curipamba began on 4 November 2021, with the submission of a comprehensive environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) and an environmental management plan (EMP).
The 7,000-page documentation details extensive research on physical, biotic, socioeconomic and cultural baselines, as well as environmental risks and social impacts.
The ESIA and EMP also outlined a robust plan for the prevention and mitigation of impacts, contingencies, training, waste management, community relations, rehabilitation of affected areas, wildlife rescue, environmental monitoring, and mine closure.
MAATE provided technical approval for these documents in May 2022, confirming their adherence to the required standards.
The final phase of the permitting process, the Environmental Consultation, was conducted by MAATE from July to December 2023.
This phase followed the Regulation of the Environmental Organic Code, as amended by Presidential Decree 754, and guidelines from the Constitutional Court of Ecuador.
The consultation received overwhelming support from local communities, with 98% in favour of the project, as reported in a news release on 27 December 2023.
With the environmental licence now secured, Adventus and Salazar have reaffirmed their previous guidance on the commencement of construction.
The companies have reiterated their commitment to responsible and sustainable development in Ecuador, ensuring stringent compliance with local legislation and the adoption of international best practices.
Adventus Mining president and CEO Christian Kargl-Simard said: “The granting of the environmental licence is the culmination of 17 years of diligent effort starting with exploration in 2007 that led to the discovery of the El Domo deposit in 2008 and included the publication of the NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study in October 2021.
“This environmental licence is a tremendous achievement for our team and stakeholders, who worked tirelessly to transparently advance the El Domo-Curipamba project. We look forward to building on this significant milestone.”
