At the headquarters of the indigenous movement, the expert was concerned about the use of toxic substances by some mining operations, which accumulate waste with a high presence of arsenic or cyanide and affect the communities around the Ecuadorian Amazon.
«They could have accidents and pollute rivers. “That is certainly worrying,” he said.
Orellana also referred to the failure or delay to comply with a series of judicial rulings in Ecuador on protection of the environment, people’s health and lives, as well as the effects of illegal mining.
The laws, which should protect the people, what they do is legalize pollution, the official warned.
The members of Conaie valued the meeting as a way to strengthen their capacity to influence international organizations and expose the situation of human and territorial rights of the indigenous peoples and nationalities of Ecuador, in relation to the impacts of toxic substances derived from the extractive industry.
The UN expert arrived in this South American nation on May 14 and his stay here concluded this Saturday.
This Thursday, the specialist was in the Andean city of Latacunga, where he learned about the impact of mining on the territories of the indigenous peoples and nationalities of the Ecuadorian highlands.
Also this week, a group of United Nations experts recommended that Ecuadorian authorities guarantee environmental consultations in mining projects, complying with human rights standards.
Through a statement they demanded the inclusion of all communities that could be affected by extractive activities, particularly by the La Plata SA or Curipampa-El Domo projects, linked to Canadian capital companies.
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