Article

China has expanded its influence in Ecuador's mining industry by acquiring three projects from Canadian and Australian firms between 2025 and early 2026. The country now oversees six of ten mining projects, including significant reserves of gold and copper.

Recent acquisitions include the Cascabel, El Domo, and Cangrejos projects, previously held by companies like Sold Gold and BHP. The Ecuadorian government imposed new mining regulations, including a mining oversight fee and the closure of the Mining Cadastre, which have deterred investment from Canadian and Australian firms. Chinese companies, with strong financial backing, are positioned to capitalize on these developments, reinforcing China's status as Ecuador's leading mining investor.