Ecuador: Illegal Mining, Controlled by Cartels and Tracked by the Army

Radio France Internationale

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For years now, Ecuador has been exporting more gold than it officially produces. Much more so since the difference is more than one billion euros each year. According to the Mining Chamber of the country, 50 to 60% of gold exported from Ecuador is of illegal origin and often controlled by criminal gangs. Our correspondent in Ecuador, Eric Samson met in the north of the country with artisanal miners and others working in a more industrial way, tr…