A new wave of resistance has erupted in Ecuador as the rural canton of Las Naves finds itself at the center of a national and international controversy over large-scale mining and its implications for democracy, ecology, and community sovereignty. What began as local discontent over a proposed mining site has now transformed into a full-blown grassroots uprising, drawing national attention and raising serious concerns over environmental justice, state repression, and elite corporate influence.
Ecuador’s Deep Environmental Consciousness
Ecuador is no stranger to environmental activism. Known for being one of the few countries in the world to recognize the Rights of Nature in its 2008 constitution, it has long stood as a global beacon for environmental conservation. The people of Ecuador have repeatedly demonstrated their will to protect their natural resources — from the popular referendum in Cuenca banning mining in 2021, to the 2023 national consultation calling for oil in the Yasuní Amazon to remain untouched. Quito’s rejection of mining in the biodiverse Chocó Andino region also serves as a powerful reminder of a nation consistently siding with nature over extraction.
In this context, the events unfolding in Las Naves, in Bolívar Province, represent a critical chapter in this ongoing saga of resistance.
The Rise of Curimining and Corporate Influence
The spark for this recent wave of unrest began with the announcement that Curimining S.A., a private mining company, would begin construction of the El Domo project in Las Naves in June 2025. The venture, aimed at extracting gold, silver, and zinc, promises an investment of over USD 292 million and claims to generate more than USD 370 million in royalties over a 22-month period. Positioned to become the country’s third-largest mine, El Domo is being championed by the right-wing administration of President Daniel Noboa.
But behind the numbers and promises lies a web of controversy. Social movements, including the influential Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador (CONAIE), have raised alarm bells over alleged conflicts of interest. According to multiple reports, the Nobis Group—a conglomerate heavily linked to President Noboa’s family—is a significant shareholder in Curimining. Activists claim that the company’s permits were fast-tracked through government channels, sidestepping due consultation with affected communities.
A People’s Struggle Ignites
In early 2025, the residents of Las Naves, largely farmers and ranchers dependent on the region’s water sources, began organizing in opposition. Their concern: mining would endanger rivers and springs vital to agriculture, livestock, and daily life. What began as local organizing quickly ballooned into a coordinated regional resistance, drawing support from surrounding areas like Ventanas, Echandía, San Luis de Pambil, Quimsaloma, and Pangua.
A statement released by the National Anti-Mining Front captured the movement’s essence:
“Precincts, communities, associations, water boards, cocoa producers, ranchers, nurseries, traders, and citizens in general mobilized in a single force to denounce the invasion of Curimining in the upper area of the canton, putting at risk the water sources… We said in one voice of resistance, MINING WILL NOT HAPPEN.”
This resounding call reflects a broader resistance not only to environmental degradation but to the encroachment of powerful economic interests on community autonomy and democratic rights.
State Repression in Service of Capital
As resistance swelled, so did state repression. In scenes reminiscent of crackdowns seen in other resource-rich but economically stratified nations, heavily armed National Police forces were deployed to suppress protestors in Las Naves. Videos shared on social media and verified by CONAIE showed peaceful demonstrators being beaten and injured.
On June 26, CONAIE posted:
“Day 3 of repression in Las Naves. Heavily armed policemen from the Unit for the Maintenance of Order once again entered the La Unión sector by order of Curimining S.A., whose shareholder is the Nobis Group, linked to the family of President Daniel Noboa… Communities defending water, territory, and peasant economy are being criminalized.”
This repression is not isolated. It reflects a troubling pattern across the Global South where state forces act as enforcers for transnational capital, criminalizing dissent while failing to address the long-term social and ecological consequences of extractivism.
“This Is Not Just About One Mine”
To understand the depth of the resistance, Peoples Dispatch spoke with Pamela Viteri, a political scientist and community activist. Her insights illuminate a systemic issue:
“Behind this project are not just corporate interests but a state architecture designed to protect them. Curimining, backed by Salazar Resources and Silvercorp, is imposing the El Domo project by force… This is an extractivist model that despises peasant life, water, and sovereignty. It’s a system of accumulation for elites and their political allies.”
Despite the repression, the people of Las Naves remain unyielding. Their legal efforts, though initially rejected, have been appealed. Protests, roadblocks, caravans, and community patrols continue. Their message is clear: mining cannot proceed without community consent.
What’s at Stake: Water, Territory, and Sovereignty
This is not merely an environmental dispute. It is a confrontation between two competing visions of development: one rooted in capital extraction and elite enrichment, and the other grounded in community sustainability, self-determination, and ecological balance.
The people of Las Naves are defending more than rivers and farms; they are defending a way of life, an economy built on cooperation, and a vision of development that prioritizes the many over the few.
Viteri concludes:
“The struggle has already transcended Las Naves. It is now seen as an example across the country. The future lies in organizing, connecting with other anti-mining struggles, and maintaining social and legal pressure. This is not just about one project—it’s about a future where sovereignty, not extraction, defines our path.”
The Road Ahead
As machines remain stalled at the gates of Las Naves and protestors continue their round-the-clock vigilance, Ecuador faces a defining moment. Will the state prioritize short-term economic gain for a few, or uphold the will of its people and the spirit of its constitution?
For now, Las Naves stands firm, echoing a message that resonates far beyond Ecuadorian borders: “If we don’t stand firm, these companies will sweep us away.” But as history shows, when the people stand united, no bulldozer can bury their will.