Mass Mobilization Over Water Protection
On September 16, 2025, tens of thousands of people— including farmers, indigenous organizations, students, trade unions, and civil society groups — marched through Cuenca, Ecuador, under the banner “Sí al agua, no a la mina” (“Yes to water, no to the mine”). The trigger was the recently issued environmental license (in June) for the Loma Larga gold-mine project by Dundee Precious Metals (now DPM Metals), which borders the Quimsacocha reserve — a critical water source for drinking water and irrigation for Cuenca and surrounding areas. Protesters demanded revocation of the license, citing the risk to potable water and fragility of the paramo ecosystems which serve as natural water regulators.
Water Rights Coalitions Amplify Demands
Key local institutions like the Cuenca water utility (ETAPA) have raised alarms about possible contamination of rivers (Irquis, Portete, Tarqui, Yanuncay) that originate in the paramos of Quimsacocha. Environmental groups and water-rights coalitions are arguing that these ecosystems act as vital sponges for rain and snowmelt, and that mining operations threaten their integrity. Political leaders at municipal and provincial levels have joined in rejecting the project. Meanwhile, the Energy Ministry has suspended the start of construction pending submission of a more robust environmental management plan.
Implications for License to Operate & Governance
The Loma Larga case illustrates how social license can erode rapidly if community concerns aren’t addressed meaningfully. Although the license was technically granted, opposition has forced regulatory pause and created high political risk for the project. For DPM Metals, this raises uncertainty about project schedules, potentially increasing costs and reputational exposure. For the Ecuadorian government, it highlights the need for stronger stakeholder engagement, clearer environmental oversight, and possibly new legal or institutional mechanisms to ensure that projects with environmental risks near water reserves are evaluated not only on technical terms but also on community consent and ecosystem impact.