Ecuador Gold Mining

For centuries the Incas and the Spaniards exploited gold ore in Zaruma and Portovelo, southern Ecuador. With the price climbing back towards record levels of around 1000 dollars an ounce, the old mines are open again. Small scale mining is drilling the Andean slopes everywhere, with men working hard with ancient tools and techniques. Mercury and cyanide are used to extract gold, polluting the Amarillo river and causing a serious health hazard for the population.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Zaruma
• mines
• gold
• Portovelo
• Ecuador
• mercury

[idiotsavant53]

"Seventy and eighty one dollars" is what is said in paying for 9 grams of gold. Is this $70 + $81 = $151 ? 9 grams of gold is worth about $280-$300 depending on purity.

[jhymi1]

pla pla pla pla, excelente Roy Siguenza, el POETA de Portovelo, es un honor para Portovelo y el Pais,

Este Sr si que es amante de su pueblo, si no hubiese rescatado toda la historia del antaño de Portovelo, nadie supiera como lo fue, ahora todos saben quien es Rosa Vivar, y mas personas que hicieron historia .

Que pena que las autoridades del Municipio nunca lo apoyaron en sus proyectos, todos , xq ninguno lo apoyo como debia ser. ADELANTE ROY NO LES PARES BOLA ,

[rolinon1]

Great Footage, of course I would disagree with the exploitation angle.... Mining in this part of the world is a great historical legacy which we can all be proud of.