A group of local community members have initiated a blockade on the road into the Fruta del Norte gold mine in Ecuador. On October 17, a bridge in Los Encuentros, approximately 20 kilometers away from Lundin Gold’s Fruta del Norte, collapsed into the river. There were no injuries, but the protesters are upset over the lack of progress on the construction of a new bridge, which is to be funded by the company and local and national stakeholders, and the condition of the older bridge.
Lundin Gold reconfirmed its prior commitment in 2018 to funding the construction of this new bridge and said construction was and remains the responsibility of the provincial government.
The blockade is preventing the company from moving personnel and goods, including concentrate, to and from the mine.
While operations are currently uninterrupted and continuing at the site, Lundin Gold said it is monitoring the impact and is engaging with all levels of government and with community members to resolve the matter in a cooperative and constructive manner and in a timely fashion.
