ESPOL promotes mining safety through geomechanical and hydrogeological studies in mining concessions across the country

Zaruma Special Mining Control Zone

The Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL), through the Center for Research and Applied Projects in Earth Sciences (CIPAT), is conducting a technical study of the “La Esperanza II” and “Palacios” mining concessions, operated by the companies Minerales del Ecuador MINECSA S.A. and Bira Bienes Raíces S.A. This initiative is being carried out in response to a request from the Mining Regulation and Control Agency (ARCOM) and aims to assess the geomechanical and hydrogeological conditions of the rock masses inside and outside the mines, with the goal of strengthening operational safety in the Zaruma Special Mining Control Zone.

The project seeks to identify potentially unstable areas through structural analysis of the rock mass and evaluation of the influence of groundwater on its behavior. To this end, CIPAT’s technical team conducts fieldwork using specialized methodologies that enable the assessment of safety conditions within the mine tunnels and the generation of key information for decision-making.

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As part of the study, geophysical techniques such as geoelectric tomography (GET) and vertical electrical soundings (VES) are used, which allow for the analysis of the subsurface without the need for drilling. These tools facilitate the detection of saturated zones and potential water ingress into the tunnels, contributing to the planning of drainage systems and risk prevention.

The results will enable the creation of geomechanical and hydrogeological maps, as well as the identification of areas requiring structural reinforcement and those suitable for safe operation. In this way, ESPOL directly contributes to worker safety and the sustainability of mining operations.

Furthermore, the information generated will strengthen academic training by serving as a basis for the development of undergraduate and graduate theses, as well as for the production of scientific publications. This collaboration between academia, the productive sector, and regulatory entities reaffirms ESPOL’s commitment to applied research and knowledge transfer for the benefit of the country.

Related SDGs: 

  • SDG 4: Educación de calidad, al fortalecer la formación práctica y la generación de conocimiento científico. 

  • SDG 9: Industria, innovación e infraestructura, mediante el desarrollo de soluciones técnicas para la seguridad en infraestructura minera. 

  • SDG 11: Ciudades y comunidades sostenibles, al contribuir a operaciones mineras más seguras y responsables.

Published articles:

  1. Ore petrography using optical image analysis: Application to zaruma-portovelo deposit (Ecuador)

  2. Geotourism and local development based on geological and mining sites utilization, zaruma-portovelo, Ecuador

  3. Geomining heritage as a tool to promote the social development of rural communities

  4. Caracterización geomecánica y análisis de las afectaciones del macizo rocoso en el casco urbano de Zaruma.

  5. Worldwide Research on Geoparks through Bibliometric Analysis

  6. Quantitative and qualitative assessment of "El Sexmo" gold mine (Zaruma, Ecuador) as a geosite and mining site

  7. Strategies for the development of the value of the mining-industrial heritage of the Zaruma-Portovelo, Ecuador, in the context of a Geopark Project

  8. Surface and underground geomechanical characterization of an area affected by instability phenomena in Zaruma mining zone (Ecuador)

  9. Evaluation of geomechanical features and stability for the recommendations and rehabilitation of the "Humberto Molina" hospital, Zaruma, El Oro-Ecuador

  10. Assessment and promotion of geotouristic and geomining routes as a basis for local development. A case study

  11. Geodiversity and Mining Towards the Development of Geotourism: A Global Perspective

  12. A Mineralogical Museum as a Geotourism Attraction: A Case Study

  13. Evaluation of a Paleontological Museum as Geosite and Basis for Geotourism. A Case Study

  14. Inventory and characterization of Geosites in Ecuador. A Review

  15. Caracterización mineralógica y petrográfica de los filones Vizcaya, Gabi y Octubrina del yacimiento aurífero epitermal Zaruma-Portovelo, Ecuador

  16. Geotouristic route proposal for touristic development in a mining area. Case study

  17. Geoheritage and geosites: A bibliometric analysis and literature review

  18. Technical Closure of the Humberto Molina Astudillo Hospital and Its Implications for Sustainability, Zaruma-Ecuador

  19. A Bibliometric Analysis of the Scientific Research on Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining

  20. Geodiversity assessment of a country on a regional scale. A case study.

  21. Systematic review on the relationship between geotechnics and disaster

  22. Strategies to improve the tourist interest of a geosite respecting its natural heritage. A case study

  23. Application geomechanical classification systems in a tourist mine for establishing strategies within 3G's model

  24. Vulnerability in geosites: A Systematic Literature Review

  25. Seismic and structural risk assessment of an educational building for community sustainability (Zaruma-Ecuador)

  26. Stakeholders’ engagement to strengthen the sanctioning process in the mining legislation of Ecuador

  27. Assessing and Mitigating Seismic Risk for a Hospital Structure in Zaruma, Ecuador: A Structural and Regulatory Evaluation

  28. Assessment of UNESCO Global Geoparks websites for a public geocommunication

  29. Geomining heritage as a tool to promote social development the social development of rural communities

  30. Environmental assessment and tourism carrying capacity in geosites of the Ruta del Oro Geopark project

  31. Analysis of heavy metal contamination in surface water bodies in the Ponce Enriquez Mining District, Ecuador

  32. Integration of Theoretical and Practical Parameters for the Geotechnical Characterization of a Small-Scale Landslide, Zaruma-Ecuador