Ecuador's Constitutional Court has unanimously upheld the environmental license for Silvercorp Metals Inc.'s El Domo mining project, dismissing the final legal challenge against the development. The ruling concludes a year-long judicial process that progressed through multiple levels of the Ecuadorian court system, providing certainty for the project's advancement. This decision removes the final legal obstacle for Silvercorp Metals, a Canadian mining company producing silver, gold, lead, and zinc, to proceed with project development.
The Court confirmed that the environmental consultation process complied with both Ecuadorian law and the standards of the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. This validation underscores the project's adherence to international environmental protocols and domestic regulatory requirements. The ruling affirms the validity of the environmental license originally issued by Ecuador's Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition (MAATE).
According to court documents, the El Domo project has demonstrated strong community backing with 98% support from local residents. The project is expected to deliver significant socio-economic benefits to the Las Naves community, including job creation, infrastructure development, and economic stimulation in the region. This level of community support represents a crucial factor in the court's decision-making process and sets a benchmark for future mining developments in Ecuador.
Legal proceedings regarding the environmental license had been ongoing for approximately one year, moving through various levels of Ecuador's judicial system before reaching the Constitutional Court. The unanimous dismissal of the final challenge provides legal certainty for the mining company and its stakeholders. The project's advancement is now cleared to continue, with the court's decision serving as precedent for future mining developments in Ecuador regarding environmental consultation processes and community engagement requirements.
The ruling demonstrates Ecuador's commitment to balancing economic development with environmental protection and community interests. This decision establishes important legal parameters for how mining companies must engage with local communities and conduct environmental assessments in accordance with both national and international standards. The court's validation of the consultation process under the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean provides a framework that other mining projects will need to follow, potentially influencing environmental regulation and community relations across Ecuador's extractive industries.
