MAAP Update: Illegal Mining Expands in the Ecuadorian Amazon

September 11, 2024

A series of our previous MAAP reports have demonstrated the emergence and expansion of illegal gold mining deforestation in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, particularly in the area surrounding the Punino River, located between the provinces of Napo and Orellana. In our most recent report on this area (MAAP #206), this mining impact had expended into 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of land.

MAAP’s newest report, MAAP #219, provides an update on the growing mining activity in and around the Punino River basin during the first half of 2024. The Base Map presented here shows an increase of 420 hectares in 2024, bringing the total impact to 1,422 hectares since its inception in 2019. This total is equivalent to more than 2,000 professional soccer fields.

The Base Map also shows that the vast majority (90%) of the mining deforestation is likely illegal, occurring outside the limits of authorized mining areas. Mining deforestation has rapidly expanded to enter the limits of two protected areas: Sumaco-Napo Galeras National Park and El Chaco Municipal Conservation Area. In addition, mining deforestation is actively expanding within the boundaries of Indigenous territories of the Kichwa nationality.

Utilizing a series of satellite-based maps, this report details the rapid increase in this mining deforestation, especially in these protected areas and Indigenous territories.

Read the full report here.