How Ecuador's Paraecologists Stopped a Copper Mine and Saved a Forest

A proposed copper mine in Ecuador's Intag Valley has been halted thanks to the work of local paraecologists. These trained community members documented threats to endangered species, helping block the project in 2023. Their efforts highlight a growing legal battle between nature's rights and industrial extraction in the country.

Maikiuants, a biodiverse region in Ecuador, is home to endangered species, cascading waterfalls, and centuries of Indigenous knowledge. The area also sits on copper-rich land, attracting Canadian mining company Solaris Resources, which plans large-scale extraction that could permanently alter the forest.

Paraecologists like Jhostin Antún and Olger Kitiar work with Ecoforensic, a nonprofit, to monitor their homelands using scientific methods. They gather evidence—species inventories, water samples, and wildlife tracks—to defend ecosystems in court. In 2023, their data played a key role in stopping the mine, proving its threat to protected species. Ecuador's 2008 constitution grants nature legal rights, requiring the government to meet stricter standards before approving mining projects. Judges have since issued rulings that prioritise environmental protection, affecting developments in fragile areas like the Amazon. This legal framework forces companies to justify how their operations won't harm ecosystems. During a hike in Maikiuants, Kitiar, a Shuar Indigenous paraecologist, found a fresh jaguar track. The print was larger than one recorded a month earlier, suggesting a male jaguar—a rare and protected species—roamed the area. Such findings strengthen legal arguments against mining by proving the presence of endangered wildlife.

The work of paraecologists has delayed or stopped mining projects by providing concrete evidence of ecological harm. Ecuador's 'rights of nature' laws continue to shape legal battles, setting a higher bar for industrial activities in biodiverse regions. For now, Maikiuants remains protected, but conflicts between conservation and extraction persist.