MINERALS FROM ECUADOR: TYPES OF DEPOSITS - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The mineral deposits that exist in Ecuador are all those formations present in the earth's crust, of large mineral concentrations. Minerals are solid materials from nature, which have stable chemical and physical properties.

They are formed as a result of an inorganic process typical of geological evolution. They are considered non-renewable natural resources.

In every mining deposit it is necessary to determine the quantity, quality, size and depth of the mineral deposit found, to justify its exploitation and that it is profitable for the economy of a nation.

Thanks to the geological formation of the Ecuadorian geography, in its soils there is a wide variety of mineral deposits throughout the length and breadth of the country, which is why it keeps a great mineral wealth underground.

Currently mining in Ecuador is exploited with very old and little used mining techniques, although there is a lot of potential, it is estimated that only 5% of the existing deposits are being exploited.

Types of mineral deposits in Ecuador

Economically the country depends on the export of oil in a high percentage, but studies carried out indicate that the second economic activity on which the state could live would be mining.

In Ecuador there is the second largest copper deposit in the world, the first is in South Africa. There is a vast amount of gold, silver and platinum deposits.

In Ecuador there are various mineral deposits, differentiated into two large types that are:

-Metallic mineral deposits.

-Non-metallic mineral deposits.

Metallic mineral deposits in Ecuador

They are those formations with a high concentration of mineral of metallic origin. These deposits in turn are divided into:

-Precious metals: such as silver, gold and platinum.

-Steel and steel metals: among which are molybdenum, nickel, iron, cobalt, vanadium, titanium, and chromium, among others.

-Basic metals: such as lead, copper, zinc, and tin.

-Light metals: such as aluminum and magnesium among others.

-Nuclear metals: among which we can name this radium and uranium.

-Special metals: such as lithium, gallium, germanium and arsenic.

Non-metallic mineral deposits in Ecuador

They are those formations with large concentrations of non-metallic mineral, although they may contain some metallic traces. These deposits are divided into:

-Industrial minerals: among which we find sulfur, potassium, quartz, common salt, feldspar, pumice, talc and phosphates.

-Building materials: such as cement, granite, marble, clay, bentonite, gravel, limestone, sand, among others.

-The precious stones or gems: such as diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds.

-Semi-precious stones: among which we get quartz, jade, turquoise, zircon, amber, among others.

-Fuels: like coal.

References

1. Aranibar, AM, & Villas Boas, RC (2003). Small mining and artisanal mining in Latin America: conflicts, ordering, solutions. Volume 9 of Natural Resources and Infrastructure. CYTED-CETEM.
2. Institution Of Mining and Metallurgy. (2012). Mining Latin America / Minería Latinoamericana: Challenges in the mining industry / Challenges for the mining industry. Springer Science & Business Media.
3. Geominero Technological Institute of Spain. (1992). Ibero-American Mining Panorama, Volume 1.
4. Piestrzynski, A. (2001). Mineral Deposits at the Beginning of the 21st Century. CRC Press.
5. Valarezo, GR, & Torres D., VH (2004). Local development in Ecuador: history, actors and methods. Editorial Abya Yala.