STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOSQUITO - Ecuador's suspension of a decree enabling environmental consultations prior to the licensing of industrial and mining projects has paralyzed investments worth $2 billion, business associations said on Wednesday.
The decree issued in May allowed the consultations for communities in areas close to the industrial and extractive projects to be used to obtain environmental licenses, seeking to speed up permitting. "As productive sectors we are asking the court to allow us to work," added Silva, who was accompanied by protesting miners and communities affected by the decision.At least 176 environmental consultation processes are currently suspended, including for projects such as mining, waste treatment plants and dams, among others, according to the environment ministry, which called the court's decision"unacceptable.