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Analysts Mixed on Mining Risk in Ecuador

There are differences between Ecuador and Venezuela:

1. Ecuador is poor, lacks VZ's oil, and needs economic development.
2. Pres. Correa has a Phd in economics from U. of Illinois, Urbana - while Chavez did not attend university, and had an entirely military career. Chavez thinks command and control; while Correa is critical of Wall St., he knows economics.
3. Extractive industries are controversial in Ecuador; although mining is new, Texaco and other oil companies caused major public health and environmental damage in Ecuador.

Sure, Correa has to ride herd on a raucus political process, but at the end of the day, I think western miners who can "dance with the music" will find happiness in Ecuador.

Aurelian and Corriente Shares Down as Equador Suspends Mining Exploration

If companies negotiate hard and get a better deal for themselves, that's good. If governments do so, it's "thieving"?

Ecuador (that's how it's spelled, btw) has suffered massive public health and environmental problems from Texaco and successor oil operations.

Don't they have a right to decide how and when they allow large-scale mining to begin? -

BTW, I have a position in Aurelian, and feel the current pain !