REOPENING OF THE NATIONAL MINING CADASTRE

On July 8, 2025, the Executive Director of the Mining Regulation and Control Agency (“ARCOM”), issued Resolution No. ARCOM-ARCOM-2025-0029-R, whereby he authorized the opening of the Mining Cadastre under the following conditions:

• The Mining Cadastre shall be administered exclusively by ARCOM.

• The opening applies solely to non-metallic mining concessions under the small-scale mining regime.

• The respective district offices shall be responsible for the technical and administrative procedures required for the granting, administration, and termination of mining rights.

• The National Mining Company of Ecuador maintains its preferential right, which shall be applied in accordance with the applicable legal and regulatory provisions currently in force.

This partial opening of the Mining Cadastre complies with Ministerial Agreement No. MEM-MEM-2025-0018-AM, dated June 16, 2025, which ordered the gradual and progressive reopening of the cadastre system for the registration and granting of new concessions.

Given that the national Mining Cadastre is being reopened in a gradual and progressive manner, ARCOM must follow the instructions and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mines in order to proceed with the subsequent opening for the remaining mining regimes beyond small-scale non-metallic mining.

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This publication contains information of general interest and does not constitute legal opinion on specific issues. Any analysis will require legal advice from the Firm.