Gangs hijack Ecuador’s gold mining supply chain
The government has now elevated illegal mining to a national security threat.
Ecuador has declared illegal mining a national security concern following the infiltration of criminal organizations into the country's gold supply chain. The 2026-2029 National Security Plan treats illegal mining as a strategic security issue rather than an environmental or regulatory concern. Authorities suspect drug cartels launder drug proceeds through illicit gold production, using machinery, chemicals, and armed protection.
The plan singles out Los Lobos as Ecuador's leading criminal gang in illegal mining, alleging their involvement from extraction to export via Guayaquil and Puerto Bolívar ports. Illegal mining sites have surged, with complaints jumping from 249 in 2021 to 393 in 2025, a 58% increase, according to the Attorney General's Office. The number of illicit sites has grown from under 60 pre-2018 to over 600 in 2024.
Most illegal mining occurs in Ecuador's protected areas, particularly in Napo province. Ecuador has exported 19.2 tonnes of gold worth over $900 million in 2022 and more than 27 tonnes of doré gold in 2023. The government has ramped up efforts to curb illegal mining, including tightening logistics chain controls, formalizing artisanal mining, dismantling fuel networks, and expanding military operations. By 2029, Ecuador aims to disrupt 88% of organized crime structures.
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