We are consuming metals and minerals in various forms to improve our daily lives without even realizing it. Considering one of the most versatile and widely used elements, copper has become an essential part of human life. Moving back to history, ancient Egyptians consumed copper as a disinfectant and surgical tool. Our body also requires around 1.2 milligrams of copper to facilitate enzymatic activities.
Various countries including Chile, China, Peru, the USA, Zambia, Canada, are significantly contributing with their production to meet the global demands. Companies like Solaris Resources are focused on developing and providing exploration and mining services. Solaris Resources Inc has recently made a significant new discovery within its Warintza project in southeastern Ecuador. This is a breakthrough in their expansive drilling program and is likely to help grow the company’s presence in the region.
Copper Mining In Ecuador
Ecuador also accounted for metal and mineral production. In 2019, the country entered the era of large-scale mining with the Fruta del Norte gold mine, operated by Canada’s Lundin Gold and Mirador Copper mine run by EcuaCorriente. Due to its water resources and location, experts believe that the country has great mining potential. Ecuador has plentiful mineral resources but was far more lagged behind other Andean countries, including Chile and Peru, in production. It may become a powerhouse of copper. Also, Ecuador’s authorities are expecting exports of mineral resources to reach $1.6 billion this year, a 74% jump from 2020. Various mining projects are set to begin production by 2025, including Loma Larga, Curipamba, La Plata, Ruta Del Cobre, Cangrejos, and Cascabel project. Read further to know about the copper companies in Ecuador.
- Mirador Mine
This large copper mine is located in Zamora-Chinchipe province. It is representative of one of the largest copper reserves in Ecuador. The mine was estimated with 660 million tons of ore grading 0.66% of copper, 4.09 million oz of gold, and 32.3 million oz of silver. It’s the first large-scale open-pit mining operation in Ecuador. As of 2008, the mine life is 16.5 years.
- Panantza Mine
This mine is located in Zamora-Chinchipe province. The mining reserve is estimated at 463 million tons of ore grading 0.66% copper. It’s a copper project owned by the Chinese company Corriente Resources. The deposits contain mainly hypogene copper with a relatively minor overlying oxide and secondary enrichment horizons.
- San Carlos Mine
The mine is located in Zamora-Chinchipe province. Its reserve is estimated at 600 million tons of ore grading 0.59% copper. It is believed that this is the largest copper-molybdenum mineralized porphyry system in the Corriente Copper belt.
- Junín Mine
The mine is located in Manabí Province of Ecuador. The mine is estimated with a reserve of 982 million tons of ore grading 0.89% copper, 0.04% molybdenum, and 59.7 million oz of silver.
Conclusion
Copper mining is a significant operation that lifts the economic conditions of the nation. Ecuador is working to develop and improve large-scale mining of metals and minerals. With the help of the Mirador project, the country can produce and become an industrial-scale exporter of minerals.
