Ecuador dispute escalates over mining in Indigenous areas

 

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 The Ecuadorian government is meeting Indigenous leaders and rural community groups in a dispute over the future of the country’s mining industry - a dispute that will resonate throughout Latin America.

The government and the mining industry say clean and responsible exploitation of Ecuador’s mineral wealth is essential to boost an ailing economy.

Standing in opposition to those who want to exploit the gold and copper reserves  are those who want to maintain a way of life unchanged for generations in the areas the government has its eyes on.

Al Jazeera's Daniel Schweimler reports from Buenos Aires, Argentina.