OPEN LETTER TO THE ECUADOR MINISTRY OF MINING AND ENERGY

OPEN LETTER TO THE ECUADOR MINISTRY OF MINING AND ENERGY

Sigsig, Cuenca, Gualaquiza

27th January 2007

To: Mr. Alberto Acosta, Econ.
Minister of Mining and Energy

We participants in the People's Gathering for Life, who have met in Sigsig, Cuenca and Gualaquiza from 24 to 27 January 2007, representing multiple communities who feel their basic rights have been violated by mining companies, as well as popular organizations, ecological organizations and others, hereby declare our profound concern about the growing role that mining is intending to occupy in our country. Is this the case, in the end of the post petroleum period, is this the vision of the new government: The beginning of the mining era?

We attach to this letter a declaration signed by all of us, in where we clearly express our rejection of large-scale mining in our country, as large-scale metals mining affects enormous ecosystems as well as the health and well-being of the Ecuadorian and pan Amazonian population.

Regarding your proposal for a national dialogue, we consider that this can only be carried out if it is based on some of the following basic conditions:

a) The country should enter into an immediate moratorium in the issuing of new mining concessions.

b) The country should safeguard its natural patrimony, as well as the security of its population, which means that large-scale mining activities should be suspended, as well as all of the mechanisms of extortion and fraud utilized against local populations.

c) We propose that the national dialogue begin with a proposal of changes in the National Constitution, which should be based upon giving priority to life and sovereignty before the sale and destruction of our resources.

We demand the immediate ratification of a suspension of large-scale mining activities in the provinces of Morona Santiago, Zamora Chinchipe and Imbabura, as well as means to stop all of the forms of pressure, fraud and threats being carried out by the transnational mining companies who intend to divide the affected communities.

For your attention that this letter deserves, and requesting from you a meeting so we can receive your response to our demands,

We warmly bid you well, COORDINATION FOR THE DEFENSE OF LIFE AND NATIONAL SOVEREIGNTY