Mirador is the first and largest open-pit, large-scale copper mine in Ecuador. Could you provide a brief overview of the operation?

In 2024, Mirador extracted 19.9 million t of ore, maintaining stable production in line with our annual guidance. We also surpassed our investment targets, injecting US$301 million into the operation—34,4% above the planned US$224 million.

This year, the construction of the Tundayme tailings dam progressed according to plan. On June 28, the construction of the C935 masl (meters above sea level) crest was completed.

The Expansion Project for the Exploitation and Processing of the Mirador mine, with an investment of US$650 million, is progressing as planned and will lead to an increase in tax revenues, job opportunities, local material purchases and growth in export trade of products. Local acceptance has become one of the critical factors for success in mining in Latin America. Could you share ECSA’s social programs, community engagement efforts, and local impact/investments?

Each year, ECSA develops an operational plan aimed at addressing the real needs of local communities in the Tundayme parish and El Pangui canton (Zamora Chinchipe province). Just last year (fiscal year 2024), we invested US$2.19 million in our direct area of influence (El Pangui), bringing the total investment since 2010 to US$16.52 million. As part of our community relations plan, we work across multiple areas.

One of these areas is local development, where we promote progress through infrastructure projects that improve the quality of life in communities near the Mirador mine. We have also implemented internet services to promote digital inclusion in key infrastructure efforts. In communities like San Carlos de Numpaim, Mirador, Manchinatza Alto, and Yanúa Kim, we have invested in the water system. Last year, we also built a bridge over the Cayamatza ravine, a key urban connection between the provinces of Zamora Chinchipe and Morona Santiago, with an investment of nearly US$1 million.

The other key pillar is education. ECSA has supported high-school acceleration programs, enabling 59 students to graduate; we also award 31 university scholarships, financially sponsoring students to pursue higher education.

In health, we are proud sponsors of the government-led program “Brigadas Comunitarias” (Health Brigades), bringing healthcare services directly to the communities within our area of influence. These include general practitioners, dentists, and other specialists providing door-to-door care. ECSA has also been behind multiple public health campaigns like fumigations, deworming, and vaccination drives.

In agriculture, we supported the breeding of small livestock and the cultivation of pitahaya – our locally grown pitahaya is now exported to countries like China. As a company with Chinese capital, we find the exchange truly meaningful.

In training and development, we offer regular training certified by the Ministry of Labor in electricity, welding, baking, and pastry making, among others.

Other programs involve supporting vulnerable groups in partnership with the Ministry of Economic Social Inclusion, as well as running culture, sports, and social support programs. Last but not least, communication and open dialogue are key to all of our campaigns. In 2024, we published Mirador: In Images and Socio-Environmental Management, a book that showcases these efforts to keep residents informed on our projects. How has Mirador contributed to the economy of Zamora Chinchipe?

Mirador plays a key role in driving economic activity in Zamora Chinchipe province and beyond. In 2024, for example, ECSA invested US$59 million in the purchase of goods and services, which marks a 4.12% increase compared to the US$56 million invested in 2023. Of these, Pangui benefited the most, with US$22 million of procurement in the canton and Zamora with US$20 million. Zamora Chinchipe has experienced a major transformation in recent years, as one of the provinces with the highest sales in the country and a 30% reduction in poverty. The other major and measurable impact has been on local employment; a few years ago, job opportunities were scarce in the province, but ECSA has 1,410 direct employees, generating an additional 4, 848 in contracting jobs, and an astounding 19,000 indirect jobs created by the dynamization of the economy. Do you have a final message?

With a projected mine lifespan of 30, Mirador is more than a copper operation. It’s a model of responsible mining. We want our legacy to expand beyond copper production, into education, healthcare, and infrastructure. We want to see dreams fulfilled.