Join us for a talk by Colón Velásquez López, Professor, Universidad Técnica de Machala, Ecuador; TransMAPE Project Lead, Canadian International Resources & Development Institute (CIRDI) on “Analyzing the Business Model for Artisanal and Small-scale Mining in Southern Ecuador: Is a More Equitable and Socially/environmentally Responsible Model Possible?” This talk is co-hosted by the Canadian International Resources & Development Institute and the Liu Institute for Global Issues.
12:30-1:45 pm
Thursday, September 21
Caseroom – Liu Institute for Global Issues
No RSVP required. Light refreshments offered
About the talk:
Southern Ecuador is an active mining area and an important source of livelihood and income for the local and national economy. Historically, the primary extractive activity in this area has been the artisanal and small-scale (ASM) mining, which is concentrated in Portovelo-Zaruma and Ponce Enriquez regions. This area has been the focus of intense research and investigation not only because of its mineral wealth, but also because of the social and environmental impacts, resulting from ASM activities. While scientific, technological and entrepreneurial advancements have allowed Zaruma-Portovelo and Ponce Enriquez to become the driving force of the regional economy; they have also deepened inequalities and led to a creation of a mineral extraction business model that means high profits to some, and mere existence to others. The purpose of this presentation is to analyze current business model in the extraction of precious metals within ASM context, in order to identify barriers to a more equitable and socio-environmentally responsible development.
About Colón:
Patricio Colón Velásquez López is a professor at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, at the Technical University of Machala in Ecuador. He also leads the TrasnMAPE project, which focuses on the development of educational programs for Ecuador’s artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities. He holds a Master’s degree in General Aquaculture from Ghent University, Belgium and a PhD in Mining Engineering from the University of British Columbia.
His doctorate studies focused on mercury behaviour in the amalgamation and cyanidation processes in ASGM. He was appointed by the Government of Ecuador to the role of Executive Director of the National Institute of Geology, Mines and Metallurgy (INIGEMM). His major achievements at INIGEMM include implementing geo-scientific infrastructure and analytical laboratories, creating a geological and mineral resources mapping project in the Ecuadorian territory, and managing projects to improve working conditions and implement training programs in Ecuador’s ASGM sector.
Photo Credit: Bernardo Ranieri
