Quito, Oct. 27 (Prensa Latina) Several scientists today warned of the danger to the environment and surrounding communities from a possible landslide of tailings dams near the Cóndor Mirador mining project in the Ecuadorian province of Zamora Chinchipe.
Using a virtual program, experts modeled the scenario of a possible accident in this area in the south of the country, which would affect the nature and communities of the Quimi River and its waters.
The high seismicity, weak soils beneath the dam, its height, rainfall, high topographic relief and other factors pose an immediate risk, they warned at a news conference in Quito on Friday.
Doctor of geophysics and international consultant Steven Emerman explained that there are two basins where the toxic waste from the mine is disposed of, one with a total capacity of 12.1 million cubic meters of tailings and the second can accommodate more than 380 million cubic meters Cubic meter.
The expert emphasized that the results of the study are alarming because in the event of a failure, both the Quimi and Zamora rivers could be flooded with waste within 30 minutes, and bridges, buildings and other infrastructure would also be destroyed.
Given these forecasts, the scientific community emphasized the need to quickly develop and implement early warning and evacuation plans in the event of a dam failure.
They also proposed carrying out a transparent and regular environmental and social audit of the Cóndor Mirador mining project in order to minimize tailings dam failures and other risks in the mining project operated by the Chinese consortium EcuaCorriente SA.
The residents of the possibly affected cities called for joint action by authorities and experts to prevent a disaster that could even lead to the extinction of their cities.
Activists and representatives of indigenous peoples oppose any kind of mining activities in the country due to their environmental and social impacts on surrounding communities.
Ode/avr