The Ecuadorian Agency for the Control and Regulation of Mining of Natural Resources, ARCOM, reported that illegal mining operations in the country were reduced by 60% between January and October 2019 compared to the same period last year.
In an official document, the agency reported that it conducted 418 campaigns aimed at eliminating illegal mining. More than 180 people were arrested and brought before the General Prosecutor's Office for prosecution.
Depending on the scale of the operation, in accordance with the Integral Criminal Code of Ecuador, illegal miners may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term of one to seven years.
ARCOM also said it seized 49 units of mining equipment and 628 tons of ore. The latter will be transferred to the National Mining Company for processing and commercialization, and the proceeds from the sale will be transferred to the National Treasury.
